<
>

Manchester United target Bastian Schweinsteiger relaxed over future

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said he remains relaxed about his future amid interest from Manchester United.

Schweinsteiger has one year remaining on his contract at Bayern and the club's CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said this week that the 30-year-old will not be sold unless he asks to leave the Allianz Arena.

Bayern boss Pep Guardiola had also said last month that it would be down to Schweinsteiger to decide his own future, but the Germany captain appears to be keeping his options open at this stage.

"I have agreed to discuss my future with Rummenigge during the summer," Schweinsteiger told ARD TV following the 2-1 loss to United States on Wednesday. "I still have one year left on my contract. That's why I am in no rush, even more so because it's still only early summer."

Kicker reported in its print edition on Thursday that Bayern will only look to sign a big-name player at the heart of the team if someone like Schweinsteiger were to leave, but the German football magazine said Guardiola intends to slowly introduce a new generation of holding midfielders.

Bayern have already announced their intention to begin bringing youth into the team with so many of their key stars now over 30, and Xabi Alonso is expected to see his playing time reduced.

The 33-year-old, who signed from Real Madrid last summer, made 40 appearances last season, but kicker said he is set to play less of a part in 2015-16, with youngsters like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joshua Kimmich and Sebastian Rode likely to get more opportunities.

Senior stars Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and David Alaba could also play more games in that position.

There had been concern last season that Schweinsteiger and Alonso had struggled to form an effective midfield partnership.