There are certain signings who stir the senses of every supporter and World Cup-winner Bastian Schweinsteiger undoubtedly fits into this category.
The midfield titan is an exciting acquisition for the club and has already made a positive impression, speaking fluent English and clearly relishing the chance to challenge for trophies with the Reds. “I can’t guarantee titles but I can guarantee we’ll give our best to be successful,” he promised.
Of the four summer recruits, the German is by far the most decorated and experienced, carrying genuine gravitas that commands instant respect.
As Louis van Gaal has already remarked, Morgan Schneiderlin may have the advantage of being used to the Barclays Premier League after making his name with Southampton. Memphis Depay is a prodigious young talent and Matteo Darmian shone at the last World Cup. Each one should make a major contribution in 2015/16 and beyond but Schweinsteiger’s switch has created the biggest stir.
In all honesty, it will be like playing a computer game when we see his name in the line-up for the first time, potentially in the opening International Champions Cup clash with Club America this weekend. There will be a surreal feeling when the fact that a Bayern Munich stalwart has moved from one of the world’s biggest clubs to another becomes reality.
Schweinsteiger can dominate the midfield, as he has done for both club and country over the years, and is capable of displaying the sort of leadership that was so admired in Bryan Robson and Roy Keane.
There have been times when this key quality appeared to be lacking in the wake of the departure of some inspirational characters (Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs to name but four), particularly in skipper Wayne Rooney’s absence, but there should be no fears on this count with the new signing in the side.
Furthermore, when he says it’s a “big honour” to be at United, you know he means it.
The story of his brother supporting the Reds was long documented during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time at the helm. An admirer of Eric Cantona in the Frenchman’s pomp, he also made a beeline for Paul Scholes at the Legends game at the Allianz Arena last year in order to get his shirt. The Bayern favourite has always had a soft spot for England’s most successful club.
With van Gaal in charge, a reunion with the Dutch coach has enabled the 30-year-old to realise an ambition that has clearly been in the back of his mind. “I’m happy to be here because we know each other,” he stressed, when asked about his relationship with the manager. “But I am here for Manchester United because Manchester United is a big club and I am looking forward to playing in that great stadium [at Old Trafford].” His next goal at the Theatre of Dreams will be much better received than his equaliser for Bayern in the Champions League tie back in 2014.
That Schweinsteiger understands van Gaal’s philosophy and is well versed in his methods should outweigh the fact the midfield general has yet to play in the Premier League.
For all the boss’s confidence in expecting to see his new man adapt, it is simply another ambition for the player to achieve. Even somebody who has won the biggest prize in the game, the World Cup with Germany last summer, acknowledges he needs to answer any doubts about his suitability for the English top flight.
“To play in the best league in the world is a great challenge for me,” he conceded. “I want to give my impact in a positive way.”
The fans have few worries on this score. There is an appreciation that a bona-fide world star has arrived at the club and has the potential to become just as popular here as he was at Bayern, whose supporters referred to him as ‘Fußballgott’ (Football God). Schweinsteiger already has great respect for the United faithful and the feeling is likely to be mutual.
Some observers of social media have noted the frenzied reaction to our confirmation that a deal had been agreed with Bayern last weekend. The total of retweets and favourites of the Twitter post exceeded 100,000. To put that into context, when Chelsea clinched the title against Crystal Palace, the figure for the two responses to their official tweet was close to 57,000. It tells us nothing we don’t already know. There is great excitement to see Bastian, reports Manchester United.com.
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