Man Utd ‘want first offer’ for Bundesliga goal machine

Will Ford
Bayern Munich take control

Manchester United could look to take advantage of Robert Lewandowski’s contract standoff at Bayern Munich.

The Poland international scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich smashed Red Bull Salzburg 7-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, to take his season tally to a ludicrous 42 goals in 35 games.


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Despite his oustanding goalscoring feats, Lewandowski is yet to be approached by Bayern over a contract renewal.

His current deal expires in the summer of 2023 and the 33-year-old is said to be ‘surprised’ the Bundesliga side have not made an offer of an extension.

And Bild (via Sport Witness) claim United have registered an interest in Lewandowski and have made it known they ‘would like to make the first offer’ should he decide to leave Bayern.

With Edinson Cavani set to leave Old Trafford this summer and lingering doubts over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ralf Rangnick’s side will be looking to bolster their forward options.

There have been conflicting report surrounding Ronaldo’s absence from United’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, with some suggesting the Portuguese striker was simply dropped by Rangnick.

But the United boss refuted those claims.

“I have to believe my medical department,” the United interim boss explained. “My doctor came to see me on Friday morning before training and told me Cristiano Ronaldo cannot train because of some problems with his hip flexor and the same was true on Saturday and that’s why he couldn’t be part of the squad.”

Rangnick also faced questions over the availability of Edinson Cavani, who was missing for the sixth successive game.

“What does it help if I tell you it’s frustrating?” Rangnick added. “It’s just a fact, if players tell the doctor and the medical department that they are injured and cannot play. I have to accept it as a manager.

“I cannot force a player to play if he thinks he’s not available because he has an injury.”

Asked if Cavani decides when he plays, Rangnick continued: “Edi trained in the last three days, he trained well, but he still felt after those three training sessions that he is still not fit to play.

“This is a fact and as a manager, I cannot force a player to play if he doesn’t feel fit or well enough to play.”