Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger urged to consider Manchester United move

Bastian Schweinsteiger should "seriously" consider joining Manchester United this summer, says former Bayern Munich captain Lothar Matthaus.

After United pondered a move for the 30-year-old in the summer of 2014, Schweinsteiger has once again been linked with a move to Old Trafford and a reunion with manager Louis van Gaal, who he worked under at Bayern between 2009 and 2011.

And having seen Xabi Alonso selected ahead of the Germany international in key games last season, Matthaus, who captain Bayern between 1994 and 1996, says his countryman should leave if United are an option.

"He played Alonso there in the most important matches and Schweinsteiger had to step into another role that does not suit him," Mattheus wrote in his column for the print edition of Bild, ESPN report.

"Schweinsteiger needs a coach that will play him according to his strengths and Van Gaal will surely do that.

"Schweinsteiger has never been the fastest player in the world and, as he turns 31 soon, that will not improve in the future, but he is certainly intelligent enough and has the necessary vision to be the central link between defence and offensive midfield. If there is an offer from Manchester, Bastian should give it serious consideration."

Van Gaal has made it clear finding another midfielder to ease the workload on Michael Carrick is an absolute priority this summer.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Bild earlier in June the only way Schweinsteiger will leave the club is if he requests a transfer himself.

In response, the World Cup winner confirmed he would sit down with the club in the coming weeks to discuss his future.

"I have agreed to discuss my future with Rummenigge during the summer," Schweinsteiger told ARD TV. "I still have one year on my contract. That's why I am in no rush, even more so because it is still only early summer."