Bastian Schweinsteiger spent an ultimately disappointing 18 months at Manchester United
Bastian Schweinsteiger took part in his Bayern Munich testimonial against his current side Chicago Fire on Tuesday.
The former Germany international swapped sides at half-time in the encounter, which the Bundesliga side won 4-0 at the Allianz Arena, a day after Schweinsteiger was inducted into Bayern’s hall of fame.
He played the first half for the MLS side, before switching over to represent Bayern at half-time, and managed to score after putting away a David Alaba cross in the second half.
The 34-year-old then addressed the Allianz Arena crowd, as he stood next to his wife, the professional tennis player Ana Ivanovic, and his remarks suggest that his spell at Old Trafford is one he’d rather forget.
“I am one of you – and I will always be one of you. My past belongs only to Bayern and no one else,” he said. “I enjoyed every second. It was an honour to play again. I had to score. I’m really happy.”
The fact that Schweinsteiger failed to acknowledge United in his testimonial comments is no surprise. His spell at the club was one mired in miscommunication and came at a time of (ongoing) turmoil at the club.
A brief message to the amazing fans about my current situation. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Rf3jLKNwK4
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 24, 2016
The Bayern legend arrived at Old Trafford amid great fanfare after being signed by Louis van Gaal for £14.4 million in the summer of 2015. Unfortunately his debut season was mired by injury and his career at the club failed to ever truly take off.
He failed to ever truly threaten to break into the first team under Jose Mourinho, and was reportedly told by a number of his teammates to focus on his recovery while injured when – in 2016 – he was consistently pictured in the stands during Ivanovic’s WTA tour matches.
In an interview after the German’s departure from the club, Jose Mourinho issued an apology and admitted that he regrets how he treated him while he was at Manchester United.
