Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger is currently considering leaving his boyhood club to join Manchester United this summer.
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According to the Sunday Times, the Germany international is seriously giving thought to leaving the Allianz Arena and heading to Old Trafford due to concerns that his role may become limited under Pep Guardiola.
The British newspaper claim that the German midfielder – having been handed the captain’s armband following Philip Lahm’s retirement after the 2014 World Cup – is desperate to lead his country to success in a major tournament.
Next summer’s 2016 European Championships may be his first and final chance to do so.
At 30-years-old, a regular spot in the Bavarian’s starting XI is by no means guaranteed, and despite the Red Devils perhaps in need of an injection of youth into their midfield, his relationship with Louis van Gaal, combined with the Dutchman’s desire to sign the World Cup-winner, could see Schweinsteiger feature regularly for the Premier League giants.
Schweinsteiger missed 22 games in total last season through injury [via Transfermarkt], thus forcing Guardiola to look elsewhere in midfield during his absence. Having coped without their talisman for large chunks of the campaign, the former Barcelona manager may no longer feel that the Bayern icon is essential to his team.
Guardiola is rumoured to have refused to provide Schweinsteiger assurances over his role with the club next season, and the lure of reuniting with van Gaal – the man who handed the former left-back his famous central midfield position at the Allianz Arena – is proving key, the Sunday Times report.
While Manchester United are said to have agreed a deal with Southampton for the sale of Morgan Schneiderlin [via the Telegraph], van Gaal remains unsure of finalising the transfer with Schweinsteiger his first-choice midfield signing.
With the Old Trafford manager keen on the German’s signature, it seems that the move hinges on whether the 30-year-old is prepared to turn his back on the club he joined aged just 18.
Schweinsteiger has been a key player in the most successful era of Bayern’s history – lifting a stunning eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB-Pokals, two DFB-Ligapokal, two DFL-Supercups, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.