Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has said Bastian Schweinsteiger could be about to retire, with his comments coming as the midfielder was named on the bench for the game against West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Schweinsteiger was named among the United substitutes having not previously worked his way into Jose Mourinho's thinking, spending time training with the United reserves and not having registered a single minute of first-team action.
The former Germany captain, a Bayern legend, has been linked with a move to MLS, while Brazilian side Santos have also been linked with him.
However, Hoeness suggested that the 32-year-old midfielder could choose to bring down the curtain on his playing career.
"From what I have heard, Basti is close to retiring from football," he said at a fans' event.
"I do not think we would be doing him or ourselves a favour with a return to Bayern."
Earlier this weekend, Santos manager Dorival Junior said he wanted to send a message to the world by making a move for Schweinsteiger.
Junior said he had a plan "for Santos to once more have a world-class player, which we should look for in European clubs if they are not being used properly."