That is one hell of an injury streak.
I’m not ashamed to admit it but this SportsJOE thought Bastian Schweinsteiger was going to be the buy of the season.
The German was one of the best Bayern Munich players of the last decade, he had won it all, and was coming to Old Trafford to add experience and some top class European pedigree to his new team’s midfield.
However, the German has only featured for the club this term sporadically due to injury, and has been a huge disappointment as he has looked off the pace in 31 games that he has played in.
It was confirmed today that the club are already thinking his season is over, after he picked up a knee ligament injury in March on international duty with Germany against England.
Louis van Gaal feels it’s time to start thinking about August, rather than May, for the next time the midfielder will be playing football for his club.
“I think, next season, he is prepared. I don’t think Schweinsteiger shall play this season. Maybe he is prepared for the European Championship, I cannot predict.”
And according to Duncan Castles, the German’s injury record over the last number of season has been getting progressively worse, which means fans can expect to see even less of the World Cup winner next season.
If Van Gaal is correct, Schweinsteiger will finish 1st MUFC season on 13 League starts. 2 less than 2015, 9 less than '14, 14 less than '13.
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) April 15, 2016
It’s not like this wasn’t predicted, with Franz Beckenbauer having admitted his surprise the former Bayern man decided to move to England, rather than the more sedate lifestyle of a player in the MLS.
“I find it very brave to make a move like this at his age.
“People know Schweinsteiger at Bayern and know what he can do. That’s not the case in England. He will have to prove himself all over again.
“Basti is 30 years old at the moment. I wish him all the best and hope he can represent German football well in England. Not a lot of players have succeeded in doing so. A move to MLS would have made more sense for me.
“He has to make sure he becomes fully match fit again and recharge his battery. And that he does not watch too many tennis matches…”
Plenty of time for tennis now, as he may even miss the Euros due to the knee injury.
