A year ago at the iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, in a game featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Toni Kroos and the in-form Thomas Mueller, one man stood above the rest. Indeed, it was Mario Götze’s left boot which sent the Germans into ecstasy in the 114th minute, but Bastian Schweinsteiger’s heroic effort after having just returned from injury was summed up by the manner in which he hit the deck at the final whistle.
As he barely managed to drag himself to his feet, there were only tears of joy and battle scars as he experienced the most exhilarating yet numbing moment of his career. Battered, bruised, but never spent, Schweinsteiger hugged his teammates at the final whistle as he tried to come to terms with the fact that the dream had become a reality. The pain, the blood, sweat and tears were worth it.
In a career that had seen him win seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League till then, the World Cup still eluded him. Germany were knocked out by the Argentinians on penalties in their home turf in 2006, while a certain Carles Puyol headed home to send Schweinsteiger and co. packing four years later. But he wasn’t going to be denied this time. Sure, Toni Kroos demolished Brazil in the semi final, but Schweinsteiger ran the show in the final. A tireless performance in midfield, it took a career best performance from Javier Mascherano to prevent the German from running riot. Not one fond of hogging the headlines in the morning papers, Schweinsteiger got about his job like he has done throughout his glorious career. With unflinching resolve and consummate ease.
And yes he is 30, and Jamie Carragher has been running his mouth all over town arguing how he is past his best. But even a 30-year old Bastian Schweinsteiger would walk into every midfield in the world. And this is no retirement plan like Gerrard and Lampard’s, who have flown to the US to earn those big, fat paychecks before they hang up their boots. This is hardly an epilogue to the story of one of the greatest footballers of this generation – this is a new chapter as he strives to win titles and write history for ‘the only club I would have left Bayern Munich for.’
Not only is this transfer a massive statement to prove United’s reputation in world football and to highlight their intent in finally going all guns blazing to replace the void left by Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, but is a real testament to Louis van Gaal’s reputation as one of the elite in football management. Would David Moyes have been able to persuade the German to come to England? Safe to say that seems like a long shot.
And it might take him a little time to blend into his new team and to adjust to the style of the Premier League, but for a player of his quality who transformed himself from a left winger who loved to cut in and put his shot away to a dynamic central midfielder, capable of excelling in a box-to-box role as much as he would in the regista role – it should be a piece of cake. And if you recall it was Louis van Gaal who saw Schweinsteiger as a central midfielder as he complimented Mark van Bommel who played as the midfield enforcer. Van Bommel brought the brute, Schweinsteiger added the guile and creativity. Schweinsteiger has matured in leaps and bounds over the years – from a teenager bursting through the ranks at Bayern with beached blond, spiky hair to a suave, elegant midfield general with a short cropped hairstyle – the spiky hair giving way to a grey hair or two.
One last dream in my career come true. I am excited about the next chapter in my life with @ManUtd. pic.twitter.com/aWnz9mnuD8
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) July 12, 2015
Yes, if finding a Roy Keane replacement is tough, to find another Paul Scholes is an impossible task that no amount of money can buy. Players like Scholes come around once in a lifetime, if ever. But signing Schweinsteiger is the first real attempt United have made to address the midfield situation. Sir Alex could never really replace the commanding presence of Roy Keane at the heart of United’s midfield, although Michael Carrick has done a commendable job over the years. Maybe his hands were tired thanks to the ton of debt that the Glazers had, or maybe Fergie didn’t want to budge to the inflated market unless he really thought the player was worth it. He made do with the resources at hand – I seem to recall an FA Cup match in which he played John O’Shea and Darron Gibson and blew Arsenal away with a 2-0 win. Then there was the 2010/11 season when Ryan Giggs lined up alongside Carrick in midfield as United beat the likes of Chelsea and Schalke to march to the Champions League final. Ferguson laughed in the face of logic.
But in Bastian Schweinsteiger, United have signed a player who has the passing range, vision and ability to open up every defence in the world. United finally have a player who isn’t afraid to put himself about – a player who can make a tackle, a player who can recover possession, a player who can trap a ball effortlessly and shift it to the nearest teammate, but above all, a player with an eye for a pass like no other. And alongside Rooney and Di Maria and Depay, Schweinsteiger can wreak havoc to Premier League defences.
And this is a player with tons of experience and an enviable trophy cabinet to his name. The success hasn’t come without it’s fair share of disappointments – defeats in a European Championship final against Spain and in a Champions League final against Chelsea when he missed a penalty has been some of the low points of his career, but you don’t accumulate over 100 caps for Germany or become a legend at Bayern unless you’re a truly special player. His track record speaks of itself, and if he can have his way with injuries and stay fit, there is no doubting that a player as good as Schweinsteiger will come good for the Red Devils. And his experience and reputation may just allow him a longer honeymoon period to get settled to life in England – but when he does come good, Manchester United have a real top player in their hands. The biggest coup of the transfer market this summer.
He could have easily stayed at Bayern and let his contract run out and won what seems more like a customary Bundesliga title for Bayern, if not anything more. But he took the bold decision to move to Manchester and join his former boss in what promises to be an exciting project in United’s and Schweinsteiger’s future alike. None of the hunger seems to have disappeared – not even after achieving everything there is to achieve in the game. Schweinsteiger seems genuinely excited to write a new chapter in his footballing story, the journey ahead promises to be an exciting one.
Honestly, a Bastian Schweinsteiger in a wheelchair would be good enough to make it into most manager’s first teams – a fully fit Schweinsteiger at his very best is a sight fit for the Gods.
Buckle up, United fans!