Roy Makaay says he would not be surprised if Bastian Schweinsteiger is reunited with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. But the former Bayern Munich striker says it would be a massive blow for the Germans if their talismanic midfielder left.

– World Cup: Mahdi Ali looking at Russia 2018, with love
– #360business: Neymar becoming football’s biggest brand
– Copa America: Hosts Chile denied by late Mexico equaliser

With just a year left on his contract, Schweinsteiger has been targeted by United, whose boss worked with him at Bayern and wants to add his experience and guile to the Old Trafford side’s midfield.

But Makaay, who spent four years at Munich himself alongside Schweinsteiger, said: “I hope he stays at Bayern because he is still important for Bayern.

“He’s been playing there for 18 years, starting from the youth so that’s why I hope he stays there and he finishes his career at Bayern because he’s still an important asset.

“He still has a year on his contract left but it will be a big blow for the fans if he leaves because he’s the No 1 there. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are very popular but Schweinsteiger is the most because he started from a young age until now.

“He’s an amazing player, a world champion. But if he decides to move it wouldn’t be a surprise if he changed to Man United knowing the good relationship he has with the manager.”

Ajax keeper Jasper Cillessen is another van Gaal knows well from his time as Holland coach, and an option should current United No1 David De Gea, as expected, leave for Real Madrid.

But Makaay is unsure if Cillessen, 26, would be a success in the unforgiving English league.

“There is the connection because he is Dutch and worked with van Gaal. It isn’t a surprise [to see him linked], but is he good enough? I don’t know,” said the ex-Dutch international.

“A friend of mine, Sander Westerveld, came here to be the goalkeeper at Liverpool. But being a goalkeeper in England is very different than some other countries. The referees don’t blow the whistle as much for the goalkeepers. Normally the five metres is a protected area but not in England. It’s difficult.

“Jasper is a talented young goalkeeper but whether he’s up to Manchester United’s level, I don’t know.”