Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rumenigge has said that the Bundesliga champions are interested in signing Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch international seems certain to leave Old Trafford this summer after struggling to win a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up in the last three months of the 2005-06 campaign and has been linked with several European giants including AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Rumenigge told Bild: "He wanted to come to us in 2001.

"We will do nothing behind the backs of Manchester United, first we must find out if he really is on the market."

The 29-year-old moved to United from PSV Eindhoven in a £19million deal in July 2001 and has netted 95 goals in 150 Premiership appearances for the club.