Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger says his injury woes are behind him
Tuesday 14 July 2015 11:13, UK
New Manchester United signing Bastian Schweinsteiger has insisted there should be no concerns over his fitness, despite injuries limiting his appearances for Bayern Munich last season.
The Germany captain completed his move to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich on Monday for a fee of around £14.5million along with Morgan Schneiderlin, who joined the side from Southampton.
Schweinsteiger, 30, suffered with injuries after helping his country to World Cup glory in Brazil last summer and was restricted to just 15 Bundesliga starts last term.
However, he has insisted that he is "feeling great" and said his injury worries are behind him.
"Of course, I had a tough World Cup so after that I was injured until I think end of October," Schweinsteiger told MUTV ahead of flying out to the United States with his new team-mates for the pre-season tour.
"But then I had great weeks and months with Bayern, I was not injured and I am feeling great now at the moment.
"Everything is fine and I'm looking forward to giving my best for Manchester United and I'm really happy to be here."
Schweinsteiger, who won eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern as well as the Champions League, has played under Louis van Gaal before at the German giants, but said his former boss wasn't the only reason he chose to head to Manchester.
He insisted the traditions of United and his previous experiences of playing at Old Trafford were key in his decision.
"Manchester United is a big club with a lot of tradition and it's exactly what I wanted," he added. "We have the same philosophy.
"I'm here to win titles and that's what United is used to, too. I'm looking forward to playing in the jersey. It was one of my dreams in my career to be here in Manchester and play for United.
"I know him (Van Gaal), so it was a little bit easier, but it's not about him, it's more about the club, such a big club with tradition and, with this quality in the team, we can win titles next season.
"I'm looking forward to that moment in the jersey and to play for the team and the great supporters.
"Every time you play here - I think I've played twice at Old Trafford - it was always an unbelievable atmosphere.
"I remember we lost 3-2 here but we moved on to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and after the game, the supporters gave us applause.
Even now, I can say that the dressing room has a great atmosphere, the people are very friendly
"So they are very respectful and I like that a lot, and I am looking forward to playing for the club, but especially for the supporters."
Schweinsteiger, who has signed a three-year deal, said he asked national team-mates about the Premier League before making the move to Old Trafford.
"I've watched a lot of the Premier League," said the midfielder, who turns 31 next month.
"There were some German players playing here. Lukas Podolski, who was at Arsenal, is a friend of mine, and we talked about the Premier League.
"Every game is interesting and every game is tough, so I'm looking forward to playing those games at that high level, and I think we have a good team and can do a great job."
Schweinsteiger also poked fun at himself after finding out he was the first German to play for the United first team and said he had found the dressing room to be very welcoming.
"It's a big honour. I just joked a little bit with Wayne (Rooney) that I'm the first - I think you call the Germans 'Kraut' - Is it true? Yes?
"So I said to him, 'I'm the first one here!' It's a big honour to be the first German player here, in the first team, and it's a great feeling.
"That's very important, I think. Even now, I can say that the dressing room has a great atmosphere, the people are very friendly, so I think we will have a great atmosphere on the trip (to the US).
"It's my first American trip, because we always went to Asia in the past with Bayern Munich, so now I'm going to America and looking forward to the reaction there.
"Of course it's important to have a good preparation and get ready for the qualification games (Champions League) at the start of the season."
