The Belgian ace joined the Bavarians from Hamburg in 2006, and he managed to establish himself as a regular starter at Allianz Arena.

"That's been my best half-season," Buyten told Bayern's official website

"I sense the coach's faith in me. I've been given the chance to show what I can do."

Bayern suffered a string of poor result early this season, but later on they pulled themselves together to make amends.

Now Van Gaal's side lie third on 33 points, two adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen.