He expected much, much more. Much.
And more again.
Manchester United may have got Bastian Schweinsteiger for a steal but they are still shelling out a bundle of wages for the German.
Louis van Gaal brought in the 31-year-old to bring some drive, invention and control to his midfield. What he got was a man feeling his way back from fitness only to get injured again.
Schweinsteiger has 25 appearances for United this season and has only contributed one goal and one assist. A three-game suspension for an off-the-ball incident has not helped matters.
Van Gaal has, not for the first time this season, expressed disappointment that the former Bayern Munich man has not reached the peaks he should in the Bundesliga. On Monday, Van Gaal told reporters:
“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.
“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.”
Man Utd's win % in all comps this season:
With Bastian Schweinsteiger (54%)
Without Bastian Schweinsteiger (27.3%) pic.twitter.com/q4zaN8HxaP— Squawka (@Squawka) February 13, 2016
Van Gaal offered Schweinsteiger a crumb of comfort in his press briefing but it was a mere morsel.
“He played very well at Wolfsburg [United lost 3-2] and then began to reach the level he showed at Munich. I think he can get back to it.”
With United six points off the Champions League places and games running out, one hopes Schweinsteiger gets motoring again.
