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Manchester United will set their sights on Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger – if a third bid for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas fails this week.

The Premier League ­champions have become aware of whispers in Germany that Schweinsteiger may not fit into Pep Guardiola’s new Bavarian blueprint.

And with United ­looking for top-class midfield alternatives should a final ­attempt to prise Fabregas away from the Nou Camp be unsuccessful, the 29-year-old German would fit the bill perfectly.

United’s need for reinforcements is starting to become so desperate that they are preparing one final ­club-record bid for Fabregas worth ­£35million plus £5m in ­add-ons .

It is an offer that is powered by the belief that the 26-year-old wants to move to Old Trafford.

(Image: David Ramos)

But, if Barca continue to insist that the former Arsenal star is not for sale , United know that they will be forced to look ­elsewhere, with the ­defence of their title less than two weeks away.

Everton’s Marouane Fellaini has been identified by new boss David Moyes as a possible target, but United are yet to trigger a £23.5m release clause in the Belgian’s contract that is set to expire.

And Real Madrid are ­continuing to insist that they are not listening to offers for Luca Modric.

News that Schweinsteiger could struggle to nail down a place in Guardiola’s team at Munich will alert United as well as every other top club in Europe.

Despite his age, he will command a fee in excess of £25m – and clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are also sure to be interested.

Guardiola may have inherited a team that won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup last season but he has made it clear during pre-season that he does not want to play a tactical formation that includes two defensive midfielders.

(Image: Reuters)

Guardiola, who has already beaten United to the signature of Barca starlet Thiago Alacantara, is ­believed to be looking to Javi Martinez to anchor his ­midfield.

Bayern have also spent £34million on buying Mario Gotze from ­Borussia Dortmund.

That leaves Schweinsteiger – last week named German Footballer of the Year – facing a fight for his place.

Getting rid of a player who came through the youth ranks and is regarded as a Bayern legend would be a huge gamble by Guardiola but it’s a gamble he may well take.

Moyes is yet to make his first signing since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson last month.