Man Utd set sights on Thomas Muller and Morgan Schneiderlin

Manchester United, odds-on 4/9 with Coral for a top four finish, are set to make a sensational double swoop for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and Bayern Munich marksman Thomas Muller, in a bid to boost their faltering Champions League ambitions.

Louis van Gaal will be keen to strengthen his side in the January transfer window after stumbling to fourth place in the Premier League table, already 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.

United’s drop in the league standings comes after a shock 1-0 defeat to Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Saints on Sunday, with midfield enforcer Schneiderlin playing a vital role in his side’s first win at Old Trafford for 27 years.

The Red Devils are understood to have switched their attention to the forceful Frenchman, with Italian giants Roma refusing to sell Van Gaal’s primary target Kevin Strootman.

Schneiderlin’s stunning season so far has prompted speculation that he is set for a switch to the red half of Manchester, with United’s Dutch manager also keen on signing Munich’s World Cup winning frontman Muller.

The ferocious forward has been in magnificent form for both club and country in recent seasons, narrowly missing out on a second consecutive Golden Boot in last summer’s World Cup. Germany’s prolific poacher Muller netted five times in seven appearances in Brazil, trailing Colombia’s James Rodriguez by just a single goal.

Reports suggest the 25-year-old is desperate for a change of scenery in his trophy-laden career, with a move to Old Trafford being heavily suggested in recent months.

Van Gaal managed Muller, who is contracted at the Allianz Arena until 2017, during his time as Bayern boss and he will be aiming to pursue his former forward as talk of the German’s unhappiness in the Bundesliga persist.

With United’s Champions League hopes stuttering after recent under-par performances, the determined Dutchman will be keen to wrap up deals for Schneiderlin and Muller as he searches for a return to Europe’s elite club competition. The Red Devils have now risen to 40/1 to claim the Premier League title this campaign.