Why Man United could benefit from the Gundogan Ultimatum

Manchester United’s quest for a new midfield marvel has been given a boost, with Borussia Dortmund ordering Ilkay Gundogan to make a decision about his future.

The German ace has entered the last year of his current contract and BVB have ordered him to either extend his current deal or voice his intentions to leave sooner rather than later.

The move comes after the club were forced to allow striker Robert Lewandowski to leave on a free to fierce rivals Bayern Munich after the Poland international ran down his contract.

Dortmund will hope the ultimatum results in a contract extension for Gundogan but with the club lying 17th in the Bundesliga after a disastrous start to the season Manchester United will hope it forces him into a move.

Gundogan has now put in a 12-game stint since returning from more than a year on the sidelines and this proven fitness is said to have convinced Louis van Gaal to make his move.

The player recently stated that he would “one day” like to test himself in either England or Spain and with United looking set for a Champions League return – with a top four finish currently priced at 1/6 – a move to Old Trafford could well be on the cards.

Should Gundogan arrive, however, Van Gaal is likely to send players the other way to balance the squad and this could mean the end of Marouane Fellaini’s stay in the north west.

The Belgian has enjoyed something of a career resurgence since the arrival of Van Gaal but in truth his run in the team has been made necessary by injuries to the likes of Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera.

Should Gundogan, or another playmaking midfielder arrive in January or in the summer, Fellaini could well find himself on the fringes of the action once more.

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