Louis van Gaal expects Manchester United to pursue Bundesliga trio during World Cup

Louis van Gaal

Newly instated Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal expects the club’s executive chairman, Ed Woodward, to pursue the signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller while he’s otherwise engaged with the Netherlands national team in Brazil.

The Mail Online asserts that United are closing in on Southampton defender Luke Shaw and are expected to ratchet up their interest in the aforementioned Bundesliga trio in the next few weeks.

Schweinsteiger is understood to be receptive to idea of plying his trade in the Premier League, while Muller is said to have certain qualms over his role at Bayern since Pep Guardiola took the helm.

Mats Hummels, meanwhile, will be exceedingly difficult to lure to Old Trafford, with his agent (and father) Herman Hummels quashing talk of a move away from the Westfalenstadion.

Herman Hummels said: “I know Louis van Gaal from his time at Bayern Munich. He’s not contacted me about Mats moving to Manchester [United] though.

“I have heard some rumours but Mats is happy at Dortmund at the moment, and only thinking about the World Cup.”

Considering all three players are currently on World Cup duty with Germany ahead of their opening group game against Portugal, any potential deal will inevitably be delayed. Nevertheless, Van Gaal expects preliminary discussions to commence.

Thomas Muller was Bayern Munich’s second-top Bundesliga goalscorer last season with 13 goals.