Match by match, Bastian Schweinsteiger is starting to take on the role of a key player at England’s most successful club Manchester United. The World Cup winner played the whole of the second half in the team’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League playoff. Despite the game being his longest appearance so far for United, the 31-year-old is still keeping his feet on the ground. “I am really happy,” said Schweinsteiger on his performance, which was watched from the stands by his brother Tobias, after two half-hour appearances in the Premier League, “but I still need a few more games before I’m 100 percent.”
Die Mannschaft’s captain came on at the start of the second half in place of England international Michael Carrick, and he had a pass completion of over 90 percent, but he has until mid-September and the opening fixtures of the Champions League to fully regain his fitness. United have given themselves an excellent chance of ending their year-long absence from the Champions League by beating the Belgian champions thanks to a brace from fellow new signing Memphis Depay and Marouane Fellaini’s likely decisive goal in injury time. Progression to the group stage would also ensure Schweinsteiger’s eighth consecutive season at Europe’s top table.
“3-1 is a lot different from 2-1,” said the former Bayern man after the “big win” with undeniable logic, whilst also underlining the significance of Fellaini’s goal. Moreover, United had actually gone behind in the 8th minute after a Michael Carrick own goal. Schweinsteiger continues, “We have put ourselves in a good position for the second leg next week.”
Van Gaal with special praise for fellow Dutchman Depay
Depay played a major part in the result, with the 21-year-old Netherlands international scoring his first competitive goals for the Red Devils since his €35 million summer move from PSV Eindhoven. His manager and mentor Louis van Gaal reserved special praise for his fellow countryman after his two goals and assist: “I want to kiss him,” raved Bayern München’s former title-winning coach. “Hopefully he shall continue to score. I have confidence in him. He showed what he can do tonight.”
The attacker was handed his international debut by van Gaal in 2013 and says he was overwhelmed by the Old Trafford fans’ ovation. “I scored a lot of goals in the last few seasons, but these two goals are something special,” remarked Depay, making no secret of his emotions. But he quickly returned his attention to the job at hand for United: “the win is nice, but we have to finish off the job in Bruges next week.”
Match by match, Bastian Schweinsteiger is starting to take on the role of a key player at England’s most successful club Manchester United. The World Cup winner played the whole of the second half in the team’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League playoff. Despite the game being his longest appearance so far for United, the 31-year-old is still keeping his feet on the ground. “I am really happy,” said Schweinsteiger on his performance, which was watched from the stands by his brother Tobias, after two half-hour appearances in the Premier League, “but I still need a few more games before I’m 100 percent.”
Die Mannschaft’s captain came on at the start of the second half in place of England international Michael Carrick, and he had a pass completion of over 90 percent, but he has until mid-September and the opening fixtures of the Champions League to fully regain his fitness. United have given themselves an excellent chance of ending their year-long absence from the Champions League by beating the Belgian champions thanks to a brace from fellow new signing Memphis Depay and Marouane Fellaini’s likely decisive goal in injury time. Progression to the group stage would also ensure Schweinsteiger’s eighth consecutive season at Europe’s top table.
“3-1 is a lot different from 2-1,” said the former Bayern man after the “big win” with undeniable logic, whilst also underlining the significance of Fellaini’s goal. Moreover, United had actually gone behind in the 8th minute after a Michael Carrick own goal. Schweinsteiger continues, “We have put ourselves in a good position for the second leg next week.”
Van Gaal with special praise for fellow Dutchman Depay
Depay played a major part in the result, with the 21-year-old Netherlands international scoring his first competitive goals for the Red Devils since his €35 million summer move from PSV Eindhoven. His manager and mentor Louis van Gaal reserved special praise for his fellow countryman after his two goals and assist: “I want to kiss him,” raved Bayern München’s former title-winning coach. “Hopefully he shall continue to score. I have confidence in him. He showed what he can do tonight.”
The attacker was handed his international debut by van Gaal in 2013 and says he was overwhelmed by the Old Trafford fans’ ovation. “I scored a lot of goals in the last few seasons, but these two goals are something special,” remarked Depay, making no secret of his emotions. But he quickly returned his attention to the job at hand for United: “the win is nice, but we have to finish off the job in Bruges next week.”
