Manchester United transfer news: Franz Beckenbauer urges Bayern Munich to do 'everything' possible to keep United target Thomas Muller

Muller has grown frustrated with becoming a bit-part player under Pep Guardiola with reports that United could offer him a £37m move to Manchester

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has urged the club to keep hold of forward Thomas Muller at all costs, admitting that “we must do everything to keep him” after the door was opened over a move to Thomas Muller.

Reports claim that Muller has grown frustrated at the Allianz Arena having been reduced to a role from the bench under manager Pep Guardiola, and a move to United is believed to be in the offing given the Premier League side’s plans to revamp their squad this summer – once they appoint a new manager.

Talk of a move grew further when Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke on Muller’s future and hinted that the 24-year-old would need to ask for a move if he no longer wished to stay at Bayern.

“If a player does not feel comfortable with Bayern Munich, he must come to my office. Then you have to talk about it,” Rummenigge told German newspaper Bild.

However, Beckenbauer is adamant that the Bundesliga champions must pull out all the stops to keep hold of Muller, and admits he doesn’t understand why he should have any reason to be unhappy with the Bavarian club.

“Normally, I would say we should not stop people who want to move on,” Beckenbauer told Bild. “But for Thomas Muller, FC Bayern should fight to win him over, if he really has plans to leave.

“He is the original Bavarian player, and the fans identify with him. I don’t see any reason why he should be unhappy in Munich.

“He has had more games on the bench this season, and has not started in the knock-out games in the Champions’ League, but under Pep Guardiola, he is a very highly-respected player.

“So we must do everything to keep him. We should look for another solution, and consider letting him go, only if he states categorically that he does not want to stay.”

Reports suggest that the Germany international could be allowed to leave the club if a bid of around £37m is made, and with suggestions that United will have between £150m-£200m to spend in the summer, they could look towards the man that has netted 2 goals this season despite seeing his starting berth handed to Mario Mandzukic.

And should United confirm the expected appointment of current Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal as their next manager, their chances of landing Muller will receive a boost given that Van Gaal worked with the forward during his time with Bayern, having help guide the club to the Champions League final in 2009-10.

Muller is under contract until 2017 so Bayern will not be forced into a decision, but the general belief is that the club will not stand in Muller’s way if his desire is to play elsewhere.