Bastian Schweinsteiger will help Manchester United in more ways than one

Bastian Schweinsteiger, affectionally and quite appropriately called the ‘Midfield Motor’, becomes the first ever German to have played for the Manchester United first team. He made his debut for Bayern Munich on December the 7th 2002, with Ottmar Hitzfeld giving the young midfielder the chance to impress just 18 years, 4 months and 5 days since he was born in the scenic town of Kolbermoor in Germany.

That seems like the norm for most young German midfielders, but Bastian grew into one of the most fierce competitors that world football knows and recognizes. A combined total of 536 appearances later, at the ripe old age of 30, the tenacity, versatility and artistry in the voracious German leader still lives on.

Manchester United have been throwing out statements of intent like your local newspaper delivery boy flings your morning news at your doorstep. Some of them miss, some of the annoy your neighbours and some of them land exactly on the sweet spot. Schweinsteiger arrives at Old Trafford at a time when the club is crying out for a midfield general. Someone to take matters into his own hands with the kind of composure only a true World Cup winner could potray.

Almost everyone did expect Morgan Schneiderlin to be their next signing, but the sudden twist in news will most likely just appeal to the United masses, while considering the fact that Morgan’s signature could still be on the cards.

The club, who have already signed Depay, aren’t in the least worried about their payroll as bigger signings are being considered. Louis van Gaal’s men struggled with consistency, which the historic club know is important to conquering the domestic league. Killing off games is an attribute only the truest of champions pull off in the direst of moments. However to be realistic as Gary Neville puts it, they did nothing spectacular last season, but ticked all the boxes. A club like United, belongs in the Champions League.

Bayern however, do not have much to worry about. In the middle, they are spoilt for a choice, especially with the addition of Douglas Costa. The Premier League fans are however, divided on opinions. More than a half are overjoyed at the fact that a player of his stature will be headlining a major club. The other half consist of people who are rather disgruntled that a neutral favorite is moving to United and rather happy that someone who turns 31 this August cost 14 million.

His injury list is indeed frightening, as he missed 18 games by staying on the sidelines for 98 days from August 11th 2014 to November 17th 2014 while his most recent problem kept him out for a fortnight in April. Pep Guardiola revealed his disappointment in his book, stating that whenever the German started, he was never fully fit. If United were to rely on him as a starter, problems could surface.

Age for me is a sensitive subject. The arguments are innumerable, and pretty much every one of them has a loophole. However, one thing is for sure. Andrea Pirlo joined Juventus at the age of 32. Four Serie A titles and a Champions League final later (that was lost against a 31-year old Iniesta and a 35-year old Xavi), the man is sipping wine as he books a flight to the MLS.

With Schweinsteiger in question, there will be a bucket full of rebuttals against the former Bavarian star however not all of them will give him the benefit of the doubt. Schweinsteiger is a winner. He knows the feeling of climbing up on a podium and lifting trophies. He’s done it for 13 years and anyone who has, will tell you that the hunger to do it again doesn’t die easily.

When you have the confidence a winner instills as he is put between a group of people who have the highest of expectations, you get results. It’s a 3-year contract not just to produce results now, but for the generation of young United players who will come through and one day remember what he said to them in the hallowed grounds of Carrington

With 8 League titles under his belt, he joins a fellow winner at the helm in the form of Louis Van Gaal. The manager himself was the one who transformed Bastian Schweinsteiger into a deep-lying midfielder as he formerly had a stint of games on the wings and at left back.

England is ready to welcome him with their arms open. Jerseys will be bought, pronunciations will be practiced, and the never ending jokes of his misfortunes will be on replay.

Welcome to the Premier League Bastian, you were missed long before you arrived.