What would Schweinsteiger bring to United?

Manchester United are reportedly close to securing the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, according to the Sunday People.

What would the German international bring to the club, if he was to make the move to Manchester?

Career so far

Bastian Schweinsteiger has established himself as one of world football’s most celebrated central midfielders during his long and successful career. He has only played for one club, that of course being Bayern Munich, where he has contributed to one of the most glorious periods in the German giant’s history.

He signed as youth player in July 1998, having decided to pursue football rather than in ski racing, which he also displayed a great talent for, and steadily rose through the Bayern ranks. A German Youth Championship victory in 2002 earned Schweinsteiger a place in the reserve side, and despite earning a reputation for rebelliousness off the pitch, his form on it earned him the right to train with the first team.

He was handed his debut by legendary coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, coming on from the substitute’s bench in a Champions League match against Lens in November 2002. The 18-year-old made an immediate impact by setting up a goal minutes after being introduced.

He continued to feature in the first team that season and helped Bayern to a league and cup double. In September 2003, he scored his first professional goal against VFL Wolfsburg.

Over the following seasons, Schweinsteiger confirmed his reputation as one of Germany’s brightest talents and helped Bayern Munich fill their trophy cabinet and establish themselves as the dominant force in German football.

He has won eight league titles and seven cups whilst at Bayern and after suffering heartbreak in the Champions League finals of 2010 and 2012, Schweinsteiger finally lifted the European Cup in 2013. As a vital part of the treble-winning side of 2012/13, his manager Jupp Heynckes believed the midfielder was worthy of winning the Ballon D’Or.

Schweinsteiger’s international career has encompassed the German’s gradual rise to the pinnacle of international football. Since making his debut in a friendly against Hungary in 2004, he has played in six major tournaments. For a while it was a case of ‘so near yet so far’ for Schweinsteiger and his international teammates as they finished as runners-up in Euro 2008 and third in the World Cups of 2006 and 2010 and also in Euro 2012. The exciting young German side that Schweinsteiger was a part of blossomed into World Champions in 2014, overcoming Argentina in extra time to seal the title.

Could he join United?

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been linked to a move to Manchester United before but until recently it looked as if he would spend his entire career at Bayern Munich. Now 31-years-old, perhaps the midfielder feels ready for a new challenge and relishes the opportunity of swapping Munich for Manchester.

He only has year left to run on his contract at Bayern and talk is coming out of Germany that it is time for him make a move. German legend Lothar Matthaus believes that Schweinsteiger needs to leave Bayern, saying, “Schweinsteiger needs a coach who will play him according to his strengths, and Van Gaal will do that.”

Of course Louis van Gaal knows all about Bastian Schweinsteiger’s strengths and it is believed that he is tempted to link up with his old coach, one who possibly understands and warms to his abilities more than his current manager, Pep Guardiola. Van Gaal worked with Schweinsteiger between 2009 and 2011 and is reportedly confident that he can lure the German international to Old Trafford.

Would he be a good fit?

Bastian Schweinsteiger is top class player and his signing, especially at the reported price of £7.5 million, is really a no-brainer. Manchester United’s need to strengthen their central midfield has been well documented and Schweinsteiger would be an ideal addition to the squad.

Nominally a defensive-minded midfielder, the German has an impressive goal-scoring ability, and is as happy going forward as he is in doing defensive work. His work rate and capacity to drive a team forward are something this United team really need.

Schweinsteiger has a vast amount of experience at the very highest level and is a natural leader on the pitch. In terms of his all-round ability, he reminds one of Roy Keane, and the club haven’t had a player like that at their disposal since the great Irishman left in 2005.

Not only would he compliment what the team already has in central midfield (a combination of Schweinsteiger, Carrick and Herrera is quite exciting), Bastian Schweinsteiger could be the sort of player to make the difference in challenging for the title and winning it.