Karl-HeinzRummenigge has told Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller he must improve if he is to return to the starting line-up following a recent dip in form.
Muller has managed only a single goal in 13 Bundesliga appearances this season and was an unused substitute during Bayern's crucial 3-0 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday night, which ensured the Bavarian giants entered the Christmas break atop the table.
The Germany international, who was a mainstay in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up, has cut a frustrated figure under Carlo Ancelotti but Rummenigge has said the onus is on the 27-year-old to show his determination to improve.
"You need 16, 17 or 18 players these days. We have a lot of players of the highest quality," Rummenigge told AZ, as quoted byYahoo Sports.
"That means every now and then two or three players will not be in the team and might be unhappy.That should be a motivation for the players to perhaps do better in certain areas in 2017. That is the case with Muller."
Muller ended a run of 999 minutes without a goal earlier in December but recently insisted that his spiralling form has not dampened his spirit.
"It only gets frustrating if I'm not satisfied with my own performance or the opportunities I squandered that might have led to a goal," he said.
"But if I've had a good game and have given everything I could then I'm more than capable of handling the questions that are asked of me. It's important to be in a good state of mind, to demonstrate that and be there to help the team.
"If I have to endure a 999-minute goal drought then so be it! However, I do hope I don't have to wait that long until my next goal."