Schweinsteiger: Yes, I'm still looking to find the right rhythm. I had a great start in pre-season, but suffered a setback from a calf injury. I also joined the team a bit later than most other players and therefore our coach is right: I still need to find my training rhythm and once I do I'm certain I'll improve quickly.
Question: Are you aware of the fact that you wrote history today, by becoming the first German to make an appearance for United?
Schweinsteiger: Yes, I'm aware. I asked around to find out how many German players had been here before and it hasn’t been many. Ron-Robert Zieler spent time here during his youth career but no German play had made an appearance for the first team yet. It's certainly a special occasion for me to become the first German and to have in this stadium simply makes me very proud. But most of all I've come here to win titles - that's what Man United stands for.
Question: Your team mates are full of praise when they talk about you. How does that feel?
Schweinsteiger: It's great of course. The team spirit we have is fantastic. The atmosphere is very friendly and there are very few egoistical personalities. It's always a lot of fun in the changing rooms as everyone gets along great and simply wants to help the team be successful.
Question: Have you done anything special for the team since your arrival?
Schweinsteiger: No, but I already spoke with Wayne [Rooney] and we discussed the possibility of me inviting the team to the Oktoberfest. But I don't know how much time we will have and if our coach would allow us to go.
Question: Do you miss Munich?
Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrated a successful Premier League debut as Manchester United recorded a 1-0 home victory against Tottenham Hotspurs on matchday 1. The DFB skipper responded to media questions after his first game for the Red Devils, discussing his warm reception by the fans upon his substitution, the difference to the Bundesliga and his fitness.
Question: Bastian Schweinsteiger, how satisfied are you with your competitive match debut for Man United and the 1-0 win over Tottenham?
Bastian Schweinsteiger: It was great, a very good feeling. Obviously it was important to get three points from the first game and I had a lot of fun out there.
Question: You received standing ovations from the entire stadium when you were brought on in the 60th minute. What was that like for you?
Schweinsteiger: It was very emotional and a great feeling. I was very pleased to see the reaction from the crowd.
Question: What's the difference between the Premier League and the Bundesliga?
Schweinsteiger: There is a lot of power on the pitch in the Premier League and the spectators always expect attacking football with many chances being created. At times it might be a bit too much, but I like that there are so many emotions in the game over here. I enjoy playing here. Obviously I still have to find the right balance and I'm working on getting there.
Question: United coach Louis van Gaal said that you still lack fitness. Is that true?
Schweinsteiger: Yes, I'm still looking to find the right rhythm. I had a great start in pre-season, but suffered a setback from a calf injury. I also joined the team a bit later than most other players and therefore our coach is right: I still need to find my training rhythm and once I do I'm certain I'll improve quickly.
Question: Are you aware of the fact that you wrote history today, by becoming the first German to make an appearance for United?
Schweinsteiger: Yes, I'm aware. I asked around to find out how many German players had been here before and it hasn’t been many. Ron-Robert Zieler spent time here during his youth career but no German play had made an appearance for the first team yet. It's certainly a special occasion for me to become the first German and to have in this stadium simply makes me very proud. But most of all I've come here to win titles - that's what Man United stands for.
Question: Your team mates are full of praise when they talk about you. How does that feel?
Schweinsteiger: It's great of course. The team spirit we have is fantastic. The atmosphere is very friendly and there are very few egoistical personalities. It's always a lot of fun in the changing rooms as everyone gets along great and simply wants to help the team be successful.
Question: Have you done anything special for the team since your arrival?
Schweinsteiger: No, but I already spoke with Wayne [Rooney] and we discussed the possibility of me inviting the team to the Oktoberfest. But I don't know how much time we will have and if our coach would allow us to go.
Question: Do you miss Munich?
Schweinsteiger: If you live in Munich for as long as I did, then obviously there are things that you miss a little. But I like the tradition that you feel here and I absolutely feel at home here, despite still keeping an eye on what's going on in Munich, where I spent a wonderful time. I try to follow FC Bayern as much as I can from here.
