Manchester United have written off Bastian Schweinsteiger. Literally.
The German midfielder has been written off as an asset in the club’s published accounts for 2016.
In the “exceptional items” section of the club’s accounts, a sum of £6.7m (the fee United paid Bayern Munich for Schweinsteiger last summer) is listed. It relates to “a registrations’ impairment charge regarding a reduction in the carrying value of a player no longer considered to be a member of the first team playing squad.”
Interesting: Man Utd forced to write off £6.7m due to Schweinsteiger no longer considered member of 1st team squad. pic.twitter.com/JN1OFeJMJO
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) September 12, 2016
United are understood to have taken this measure because executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward felt it could give an unfair impression to the club’s investors if the player was listed as an asset.
It also indicates Schweinsteiger’s standing in the first-team squad, and how the club have given up any hope of receiving a transfer fee for the player.
This is the latest sign of how low Schweinsteiger’s stock has fallen at Old Trafford. Hampered by injuries and poor form last season, the former Germany captain was told to train away from the first-team when he returned from a break following Euro 2016.
Schweinsteiger is still supporting his teammates from the stands, but looks certain to be on his way out of Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
First @premierleague game of the season at Old Trafford! Good luck, guys! @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/eXMQKSLdRv
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 19, 2016
