After five multi-million pound signings in each of his two season at Manchester United, Louis Van Gaal has admitted that he had to convince the board members to acquire Bastian Schweinsteiger’s signature.
The German-midfield maestro was brought to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich in a deal worth £6.75 million in the summer transfer window and has missed the last seven games of the club due to a knee injury.
Bastian Schweinsteiger joined the Bavarians as a 14-year-old and moved up the ranks from the reserve team to the first-team due to his knack for creating goals. He appeared in 500 matches in all competitions for the senior team, scoring on 68 occassions.
“Manchester United has bought him even though he is now 31, so I had to convince the board to buy him, because he’s a very good player and he always gives a team more balance,” Louis Van Gaal told the club website.
Louis Van Gaal believes that Bastian Schweinsteiger will find back his revered form
The Red Devils’ boss is hopeful that the World Cup winner, who is one of the most respectable names in the midfield during his time at Bayern Munich, will find back his form soon.
“Bastian has been unlucky because he picked up an injury at a time that he was playing very well – he was improving. However, during December I said that I expect more and he was very disappointed I said that, but I think I can say that because my expectation is higher,” he continued.
The Germany international has featured for his national side 114 times since 2004 and has netted 23 goals. Louis Van Gaal expects the German midfielder to regain form after coming back from his injury.
“He played very well at Wolfsburg and then began to reach the level he showed at Munich – I think he can get back to it,” he added.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has made only 17 premier league appearances this season and had started to look comfortable and more in-sync with the squad since November end, but he got injured very soon thereafter in an FA Cup fixture against Sheffield United FC in January.
The midfielder’s first season for the Red Devils has been mostly inconsistent, with random moments of brilliance. But then again, the inconsistency is something you don’t expect coming from someone as experienced and praised as Bastian Schweinsteiger.
