Simply the Bast: Manchester United want Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger

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Manchester United want to sign Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger, who should be in action against Spain tonight, said he would love to play in England, where he would earn twice as much as in Germany.

29 June 2008

SIMPLY THE BAST

FOOTBALL United in Bayern swoop Fergie fancies him to replace Ronnie

By Alan Nixon
The People



Manchester United have put Germany's Euro 2008 winger Bastian Schweinsteiger at the top of their hit-list to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.​

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to pounce for the Bayern Munich star if Real Madrid win the titanic tussle for Portuguese ace Ronaldo - and a £12million offer is in the pipeline.​

Schweinsteiger, 24, has the kind of experience and top-class pedigree that United will need if they lose Ronaldo to his "dream club," and contact has already been made at the highest level.​

The powerful German is in the last year of his contract with Bayern and looks sure to quit despite the pleas of new coach Jurgen Klinsmann.​

Schweinsteiger, who was also on Chelsea's radar under Avram Grant's management and is still interesting the Londoners, would be able to move relatively cheaply.​

If he lets his contract run down he could go for nothing next summer.​

The fiery right-winger, sent off in his first game at the Euros but set to start against Spain tonight, is also refusing to sign anything while the United option is alive.​

Sources in Schweinsteiger's camp say there has been contact with United, who will set the wheels in motion if Ronaldo waves goodbye to Old Trafford.​

The German fancies a move to either England or Spain. German pal Michael Ballack has told him all about the Premier League - and how he can double his £35,000-a-week wages.​

"England does have a good appeal," said Schweinsteiger. "It is now one of the world's best leagues and I have heard all about it from Michael, Jens Lehmann and Thomas Hitzlsperger who have all played there.​

"I have always wanted to play in England so we will see if it happens this year."​

Fergie has looked far and wide for potential replacements for Ronaldo, checking out Lionel Messi at Barcelona and also weighing up a move for Wigan's Luis Antonio Valencia.​

But Schweinsteiger ticks most boxes and things could start moving quickly once Ronaldo comes back from holiday to face the music with Ferguson.​

United fear he will go but they will not make it easy.​

Real Madrid are talking in terms of a £63.7million bid - a figure based on their theory that he has a sell-on clause of around 80million euros.​

Real have dangled the possibility of adding a Bernabeu star to the mix in a player-plus-cash deal but United are not remotely interested in that option.

thepeople.co.uk​