Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to join Manchester United, as both the Red Devils and his former club Bayern Munich have announced a deal is in place.
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Schweinsteiger will become the first German to play for Manchester United after spending his entire career with Bayern. He has made more than 500 appearances for the Bavarian club, winning eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League title during his time at the Allianz Arena.
The move that would reunite Schweinsteiger with Louis van Gaal has been reported for some time now, but today the transfer has been completed pending a medical. Van Gaal managed Bayern from 2009-2011.
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed the move today at a press conference.
Bastian wants to do something new at the end of his career. He asked that we meet his wishes.
My colleagues at Manchester United have been in touch. We’ve reached an agreement over a transfer.
It’s regrettable because Bastian meant a great deal to the club. He achieved great things. We say goodbye on great terms.”
While Rummenigge stated it was the “end of his career,” Schweinsteiger is only 30-years-old and United believes he has plenty left in the tank. He starred for Germany in their World Cup triumph last summer, and was recently named captain of the national team.
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The midfielder plays a similar role to Michael Carrick, controlling the center of the pitch with great vision and precision passing. However, Schweinsteiger poses a much greater threat on the attack than Carrick does. Our own JPW is on the record saying he is a perfect fit at Old Trafford, and if United can lock up a deal for Morgan Schneiderlin as well, you could be looking at the strongest central midfield in the Premier League.
