Kick a German while he’s quite literally down, why don’t you.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was ready for his 114th international cap, last night, before he pulled up in a gentle kickabout, at the Aviva Stadium, before kick-off.
The injury cost Germany of their most experienced midfielder, and key tempo-maker.
Whether Schweinsteiger would have flourished under constant harrying from the likes of James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick and Jon Walters is another matter.
Following Ireland’s 1-0 Euro Qualifier win, RTE pundit Eamon Dunphy expressed his doubts about the Germany and Manchester United midfielder.
“We’ve seen Schweinsteiger at United. He doesn’t have the legs anymore. He shouldn’t be out there… he should be out at anywhere late at night.”
Another manager who will be raging, this morning, is United boss Louis van Gaal.
Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo have all picked up knocks of late to join long-term absentee Luke Shaw on the sidelines. Schweinsteiger has now joined them.
The 31-year-old will face a race against time to be fit for United’s Premier League trip to Everton.
