Bastian Schweinsteiger explains why Sasa Kalajdzic bound to flop at Man Utd, as Ten Hag warned

Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic would undoubtedly flop if he moved to Manchester United amid their reported interest, Bastian Schweinsteiger has claimed.

The Red Devils have made a striker signing a top priority for new manager Erik ten Hag this summer. So far, though, they have suffered frustration on a number of fronts.

A deal for Ajax’s Brazilian star Antony is not going as smoothly as hoped. What’s more, there is the cloud hanging over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Old Trafford future as he pushes for a move away.

Man Utd consequently have other players on their radar as they draw up alternatives and contingencies.

And reports earlier in July claimed that Stuttgart’s Austria international Kalajdzic has emerged as a target.

According to former United midfielder Schweinsteiger, though, a move to the Red Devils would prove too much for the 25-year-old.

“I have a high regard for Sasa,” Schweinsteiger told Kronen Zeitung.

“[He is] a slightly different centre-forward, not done developing yet.

“Now he has to reach the next level, but from my experience, maybe the jump would be too big.”

Kalajdzic was also on Tottenham’s radar until they splashed £60million on former Everton striker Richarlison.

Kalajdzic has a strong record for Stuttgart, having scored 24 goals in 57 games for the Bundesliga club. However, injuries have meant his story at the German club has proved a tale of two halves.

An anterior cruciate ligament injury kept him out for most of his debut season in 2019/20. The 2020/21 campaign, when Kalajdzic scored 16 goals and assisted six others, was his most fruitful.

But once again, injury struck last term – this time a shoulder problem. He responded upon his return by scoring six times and laying on two other goals, another sign of his ability to bounce back.

Man Utd should avoid Kalajdzic

Despite that ability to hit back after adversity, Kalajdzic has not proven himself yet as one of the Bundesliga’s elite-level strikers.

And to get back in the Premier League’s top four next season, that sort of player is what United need.

Looking around at their rivals – at Chelsea first of all – they have added England star Raheem Sterling.

Arsenal also raided Manchester City this summer for Gabriel Jesus, who – alongside Sterling – helped Pep Guardiola’s side to four Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium.

Richarlison may not have helped Everton to any silverware, but he dug them out of a relegation scrap and is an interesting option.

Kalajdzic is not on their level and United need to look elsewhere for top-four firepower. Portugal star Ronaldo can obviously fire Ten Hag’s team back into the Champions League, but his head is not with the Red Devils as it stands.