Rummenigge reveals United talks

“Without his goals Bayern Munich and Germany would not be where they are now”, he said.

A month before his 70th birthday, Bayern published a statement on their website confirming that Muller is receiving treatment for the illness and that no official celebrations will therefore be held.

“Currently, Bayern Munich is the best football team in the world but they are not unbeatable”, Effenberg commented. His 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga league games remains a record, as does his feat of 40 goals in a single season from 1971-72.

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has told manager Pep Guardiola to inform the reigning Bundesliga champions of his decision regarding his future at the club as soon as possible.

“For a long time Gerd Müller is unfortunately very ill, he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease”, read a press release from the German club.

Rummenigge says Muller became something of a fascination for United and, in particular, their club chairman Ed Woodward. Klose needed 129 appearances to match him. With Wayne Rooney failing to hit the heights expected from him, United cannot rely on Martial alone to provide the goals and performances in his break through season in English football. “He remained modest and restrained despite all the success, something that particularly impressed me”. He was a wonderful player and a friend. The 20-time English champions signed Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern and were looking to add his compatriot to their squad in the summer transfer window. “That is why we never even considered selling Thomas Muller”, he said. “Since February 2015 Gerd Mueller has been treated professionally with strong support from his family”.