Despite a rare weekend off, Manchester United manager David Moyes was still hard at work, scouting potential signings in Germany.

It's reported that the former Everton manager took in Freiburg's stalemate with Hertha Berlin where rumoured target Matthias Ginter was in action. On Saturday he then watched Bayern Munich demolish Schalke 5-1, in which midfielder Toni Kroos played a leading role.

It is understood that Manchester United will be among Europe's busiest clubs this summer, with the owners ready to spend up to £200m in the transfer market to make the reigning Premier League champions title contenders once more.

The departure of Sir Alex Ferguson has been followed by a marked downturn in performances, and more importantly results. The club look unlikely to finish in the top four this term, not a situation that can be allowed to continue in the long-term.

United have been linked with moves for various players in the summer, with defender Ginter and Germany's Kroos, who is currently in strained talks over a new deal at Bayern Munich, chief among them.

Also on the radar is Ilkay Gundogan, the latest in a line of players in recent years to have impressed with Borussia Dortmund. However, reports in Germany today suggest United could face competition from Bayern Munich for the 23-year-old play-maker's services. Gundogan has also been linked with Real Madrid and with his contract expiring in 2015, Dortmund could be keen to cash in on a player valued in the region of £25m.

Independent News Service