Bastian Schweinsteiger, a Bayern Munich and German icon, says Manchester United committed a significant blunder that put the Premier League team back “many years.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger had a fantastic playing career with Bayern Munich until unexpectedly joining Manchester United in 2015.
The 39-year-old former midfielder came at Old Trafford and was reunited with former United boss Louis van Gaal, who had previously handled him at Bayern.
Schweinsteiger appeared in 35 games for the Red Devils, scoring twice and assisting twice during his two seasons at Old Trafford.
The former Germany international, who was recruited by United for £6.5 million, departed the Red Devils in 2017 to join MLS club Chicago Fire.
Schweinsteiger, who won the FA Cup under Louis van Gaal, finished his illustrious playing career with the Chicago Fire before retiring.
Bastian Schweinsteiger told FourFourTwo magazine about his time at Old Trafford, including both the highs and lows.
The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder believed the Red Devils had a “huge chance” to win the Premier League championship before being sidelined with an injury.
Schweinsteiger conceded that he could “feel the size” of United, but said it couldn’t compare to what he witnessed in Munich.
“Unfortunately, I got injured in a period when we were pretty much first in the league, together with Leicester,” he said.
“That was a tremendous opportunity to win the Premier League. But until January, we fared quite well.”
Schweinsteiger on error Manchester United made
Schweinsteiger struggled in his second season at United after Louis van Gaal was fired in 2016 and Jose Mourinho took over as manager.
Under Jose Mourinho, the 2014 World Cup champion was removed from the United first team and made to practice with the Under-23s.
However, Mourinho reversed his decision, and Schweinsteiger returned to the United first squad in training, even appearing as the ‘Special One.’
Former Germany player Schweinsteiger feels United made a significant error by not allowing Van Gaal to “change more at the club” during his time in command.
Schweinsteiger believes that United “lost many years” because they did not fully trust Van Gaal and enable him to execute genuine change.
“I could feel the size of Manchester United, even if you cannot compare it with Munich,” he was quoted as saying.
“The medical department in Munich was amazing; they had a doctor who also treated the national team.
“But playing at Old Trafford was great, as was playing with individuals like Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, and Ashley Young – I enjoyed sitting with them and talking to them.
“I believe Louis van Gaal wanted to alter more at the club, and given a little more faith, he would have done so sooner.
“When you look back, I think Manchester United lost many years because of that.”
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