Bayern bust-up puts striker on Van Gaal’s Man United wish list

Already a target for Chelsea and Arsenal, Bayern Munich’s much coveted striker is now firmly on the summer shopping list of Manchester United’s new manager Louis van Gaal.

Amidst reports that Mario Mandzukic has fallen out with Bayern boss Pep Guardiola in spectacular fashion, a move to the Premier League now has an air of inevitability about it.

According to one newspaper, the Croatia international got right under the skin of the former Barcelona manager for his conduct in the wake of their humiliating 4-0 Champions League defeat at the Allianz Arena to Real Madrid.

They quote Guardiola, who subsequently left the striker out of the squad for the German Cup final, as telling Mandzukic: ‘Goodbye, and good luck with your next club.’

And this news hasn’t escaped the attentions of the incoming United manager, who has his sights set on snaring an out-and-out goal poacher in the mould of Mandzukic, if as is expected Javier Hernandez moves on.

Van Gaal is thought to be a big admirer of the man who has top scored for Bayern in the Bundesliga for the last two seasons, helping them to successive championships.

Mandzukic is set to star for Croatia at the World Cup, with his nation thrown into the mix with 3/1 favourites Brazil in Group A.

And the sizeable forward is no stranger to finding the back of the opposition net at major tournaments, where the 27-year-old’s three-goal showing at Euro 2012 helped persuade Bayern to sign him in the first place.

Although he’s suspended for the opening game of the tournament against hosts Brazil, the striker is sure to have a pivotal role in any Croatian success.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.