The Bayern Munich striker, now 25 years of age, is a particular favourite of Louis Van Gaal’s since his coaching stint at the club. Mueller has not found the same niche under Pep Guardiola only making 29 starts in two years.
Why would he fit perfectly at Man Utd?
Van Gaal had promised he would start Mueller “forever” and takes particular pride in his development as a world class striker. Rising from the Bayern youth ranks, the 19 year old was supposed to have been loaned to find consistent first team football but new coach Van Gaal saw enough in his protege to suggest he could make a go of it in the club’s senior squad and kept him back. The 2009 -10 season saw him break out in the Bundesliga as he scored 13 goals. The Muller phenom burnished Van Gaal’s cred as a coach-mentor to young talent.
Mueller has not looked back since and has been a remarkably consistent goalscorer in the league. Where he’s really come into his own is in international competitions and last Champions League season his 7 goals in 10 appearances propelled Bayern to the semi-finals against Guardiola’s former club, Barcelona. Less said the better about that one.
Overlooked in Muller’s goalscoring exploits is he’s a player possessing enough of a selfless quality while seeking out team mates in a better position to score. So it really should come as no surprise that he’s helped others find the net 56 times in the last seven seasons. Last season he topped Bayern with 10 assists, the season before sharing the top spot with Franck Ribery, again with 10. In this regard, he’s remarkably similar to Wayne Rooney who creates as much as he scores.
The reports are Bayern have rejected an outrageous bid of $110 million as per Bild with club president Karl Heinz Rummenigge doubling down on the Muller will not be sold at all costs. Captain Philipp Lahm was not so sure to guarantee Muller’s future at the club. What is Muller’s true valuation? Probably closer to $40m.