Bayern Munich shadow striker Thomas Muller is set to end his association with the Bavarian giants after 25 years at the end of the season when his contract expires.
In 2017, Manchester United offered Muller an option to leave Munich but the forward was convinced to stay. Now, considering the relationship between the German giants and United, the Reds have been tipped to bring Muller in again.
At 35, it could be argued that Muller has passed his best but it was hard not to contemplate the possibility of signing the German on a short-term deal to improve the character in the dressing room. However, in an interview with Welt, Bayern's honourary president Uli Hoeness has outlined why United should avoid this deal at all costs.
"He’ll spend three months studying the NBA, three months with the NFL, then go to England – for example, to Manchester United," Hoeness said. "He’ll come back with a certain level of experience and then discuss with us what role he could take on at FC Bayern in the future."
It is not clear whether Hoeness was implying that United would sign the forward for a season or if he would be invited in to observe how the football club is run. Whatever the plan that Hoeness envisages, it is best the Reds avoid it.
Ineos have made it a mission to change the perspective on the players that United sign. In recent years, the Reds have been guilty of signing players on big contracts who are past their prime - Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to focus on the future.
While Muller could be of benefit on a short-term deal, even that seems counter-productive if he is only going to leave immediately to join Bayern in a backroom capacity. Surely, the benefit of signing a player like Muller would be to keep him around post-retirement to help develop the club but if that's off the table, there is very little up-side left.
Hoeness' bizarre United claim should serve as a reminder as to why they are looking to break the cycle of signing has-beens. It neither brings short-term or long-term success these days and Muller would just not be worth the money for the Reds.
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