Mario Mandzukic ; S Absence From Bayern Munich's Union

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Matthias Sammer says Mario Mandzukic's absence from Bayern Munich's squad was because of his lack of effort in training, not because he is set to leave the club in January.

The Croat, 27, has been linked with the likes of Juventus and Arsenal after Robert Lewandowski signed a deal to leave Borussia Dortmund for the Allianz Arena at the end of the season.

Mandzukic was left out Pep Guardiola's squad for its 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday and Sammer insisted that his poor showing during the winter break - and not an imminent departure due to Lewandowski's arrival in July - is the reason for his absence.

"Mario has not trained hard enough," the Roten's sporting director told Sky. "The coach decided not to put him in the squad. He is precious to us, because he works like an animal. But he has not been doing it this time, so his absence is the consequence. It has nothing to do with Lewandowski. He is absolutely not leaving in January."

Bayern is back in action against Stuttgart on Wednesday and all eyes will be on whether Mandzukic is in the squad as the January transfer deadline days lingers 48 hours later.

The win moves Bayern 14 points clear of its third-place opponents, giving Borussia Dortmund the opportunity to overtake the Foals with victory over Augsburg on Saturday.

Bayern, the first team in Bundesliga history to win 15 of its first 17 matches, started with Gotze in a false-nine position and Xherdan Shaqiri, Muller and Thiago Alcantara offering support.

Mario Mandzukic was not included in the squad due to "not training hard enough," according to the Bavarians' sporting director Matthias Sammer.

Gotze pulled his first opportunity wide of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal in the fifth minute, but made no mistake two minutes later with a crisp first-time finish.

Muller was released down the right by Rafinha and reached the byline before pulling the ball back to an unmarked Gotze, who calmly stroked the ball