For many, Bastian Schweinsteiger will always be synonymous with the new German side that dazzled at the 2006 World Cup with childlike enthusiasm. The 21-year-old's performance, along with the likes of Philipp Lahm and Lukas Podolski, foreshadowed a period of German brilliance that would reach its zenith at the 2014 World Cup.
Schweinsteiger appeals with his versatility in the middle of the park — he has a wicked shot from distance, inexhaustible energy and a phenomenal footballing brain. “Schweini”, with his gloriously Bavarian last name derived from being a descendent of a family of pig farmers, also earned plaudits for his temperament. On three separate occasions he’s been awarded the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, the highest sports award in Germany for athletes of exemplary character.
All of this just serves to explain the global sorrow for Schweinsteiger's current situation at Manchester United. The man who won 120 caps for Germany before his international retirement in July has been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Jose Mourinho.
Having appeared 500 times across all competitions for Bayern Munich, Schweinsteiger now finds himself training with the reserves while playing cheerleader for the senior side.
Here’s Schweinsteiger at United’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford:
First @premierleague game of the season at Old Trafford! Good luck, guys! @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/eXMQKSLdRv
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 19, 2016
Here’s Schweinsteiger ‘celebrating’ Man Utd’s Community Shield victory (you won’t find him in there):
Congratulations on winning the #CommunityShield! Great performance, guys! @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/YUcMHRsju0
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 7, 2016
When Slovenia FifPro member Dejan Stefanovic declared Mourinho’s treatment of Schweinsteiger as “clear bullying” and that “in Solvenia, we would have indicted Mourinho and asked for the highest penalty — three years in prison”, it was easy to laugh. It was also easy to think that that’s not such a bad idea.
Mourinho has been bullish in his decision. After Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge warned Mourinho and United that their treatment of Schweinsteiger would deter other players from joining the Red Devils, Mourinho responded by saying: “I thought after I read some quotes from people at Bayern Munich they would run to Manchester to bring him back. But, no, that didn’t happen. I’m surprised Mr. Rummenigge is not here now.”
Mourinho has been tasked with overhauling a United squad that’s been middling for three years now. At 32, and having been riddled with injuries during the past three years, the reason Bayern let Schweinsteiger go for only £6.5 million becomes clear. Mourinho may have a fair point.
The fact that Mourinho also places Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and probably some academy players above Schweinsteiger in the central midfield means that, in Mourinho’s words, “it’s very, very difficult that an opportunity will arise.”
Accordingly, United have considered allowing Schweinsteiger to leave for free, cutting their losses on a player who still has two years left on his contract. However, Schweinsteiger has since revealed that United will be his last club in Europe:
A brief message to the amazing fans about my current situation. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Rf3jLKNwK4
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 24, 2016
Schweinsteiger’s current deal at United pays him £140,000 a-week, a huge sum that could probably only be matched in China. The 32-year-old would certainly be welcomed in China or the United States, but does he really see himself as at that stage of his career?
A serial winner and fighter with Bayern Munich and Germany, it’s difficult to imagine Schweinsteiger doubting his ability to break into the Manchester United lineup.
However, knowing the stubborn nature of Mourinho, a serial winner and fighter himself, we seem to have arrived at a paradox: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
With the transfer window closing on September first, we’ll soon find out.
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
