Liverpool, Man Utd linked World Cup winner requests January move

World Cup winner and Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller has made clear his intention to force through a move  in the winter window, with the German harbouring serious doubts about his current playing time, claims a report from Germany.

Muller has spent his entire professional playing career with the Bavarian giants having joined the club’s youth ranks at the age of 11 in 2000. But the one-time World Cup golden boot winner has cut a frustrated figure this term as his playing time has been marginalised to just three Bundesliga starts under Bayern boss Niko Kovac.

The rangy forward was often seen as one of football’s most underrated talents, with his goal scoring prowess a key feature of his game despite rarely playing as a traditional centre-forward.

Muller had previously been linked with a move to Anfield to ease the blow of losing Coutinho to Barcelona, but a move never materialised as Klopp’s men went from strength to strength regardless.

Former Old Trafford head honcho Louis Van Gaal had long been touted as a keen admirer during his time in Manchester, but more recently interest has been registered from euro powerhouse Inter Milan.

Now, a report from German publication SportBild, (via Goal.com) has revealed that the 30-year-old ‘wants to leave Munich’, with the German reportedly taking offence from a comment made by manager Kovac that stated: “If need be on the hook, he will certainly get his minutes”

The report states that this quote reflects the ‘lack of appreciation for the world champion within the club’.

With Muller looking for a way out and Manchester United struggling for thrust in the final third, a move to Old Trafford would appear to make sense for both clubs – albeit his age would undoubtedly be a stumbling block given Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s recent trend for buying younger players with scope for development.

Meanwhile, Harry Maguire has dismissed Man Utd’s early season flak and fired back at his critics.

Get the latest personalised Red Devils products on our new TEAMtalk Man Utd shop!