Two swings of Robben's left boot ejected United from the 2010 and 2014 Champions League quarter-finals and that unwanted sequence could continue in 2018. Bayern are going to Besiktas with a 5-0 advantage and a foot in the last eight.

Robben's Bayern career could be entering its last few months. He is out of contract in the summer and described his omission from the XI against Besiktas last week as a 'painful story'. Should Bayern release Robben, he will be a free agent with no international commitments, having retired from Dutch duty after their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Jose Mourinho inherited Robben and sold him after three years together at Chelsea. Mourinho tends to scorn injured players and the brittle Robben suffered 17 separate injuries and played 106 games out of a possible 176 before he joined Real Madrid in 2007. Derided for his diving and fragility, the substitute Robben was substituted on a cowed final Chelsea appearance against the bruising Wes Brown in the FA Cup final.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes poetically remarked last week 'Every sculptor would count himself lucky to have him [Robben] as a model'. As leftfield and unlikely an arrival he would be, Robben would provide a short-term fix for United in their problem position on the right flank and has the benefit of having worked with Mourinho during their three-year period where Chelsea hoisted five trophies.

Mourinho has shown he is not averse to a mid-30s signing. Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have doubtless become United's first 30-goal striker since Robin van Persie but for injury and his lack of pace was moot for much of last season. Robben, who turned 34 last month, is the same age Ibrahimovic was when he announced 'Zlatan time' on Twitter and could still hurtle past players 10 years younger in a foot race.

Ferguson once dismissed Robben, perhaps bitterly, as 'not very brave' but he has overcome that bottling label he was tagged with upon his departure from England and Robben is a steelier player than the one Mourinho discarded.

He may bring Ferguson to his feet again. As a MANTU fan do you think Robben can fit the gap?

Even if we consider him leaving (which he IMO won't since our depth on the wings is Coman, Robben, out-of-form Ribery and out-of-position Muller + Gnabry next season), he would still struggle, he needs rotation and he isn't always so consistent despite the fact he is still very good.

I don't see him leaving for year or two.

I really don't think it would be a smart move, I mean, he obviously still a superb player but with his age and condition, he will propably end up playing very little game because of lack of form and because of injury. Not the answer for United imo.

@Croatian What do you mean ''he isn't always so consistent''?

meaning he doesnt always perform well or is injured

IMO if he comes to England now hes just going to sort of fade out like Ibra, also he will get ripped apart by english pundits and media for diving.... and will most likely not win titles, where if he stays at bayern for another two years he will win more trophies and he is settled/comfortable in Munich

Robben flopped at PL, no reason to go to United because PL does not suit him at all.