The biggest name to be added to Manchester United's squad this summer was without a doubt Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger.
United fans were thrilled to be able to lure a player of Schweinsteiger's quality away from Bayern Munich, but before the season began all the talk was over his fitness, or rather, his lack of fitness over the last 18 months. After being eased into Premier League action, Schweinsteiger looks as fit as ever, as showcased by his passing stats against Liverpool last weekend as he completed more passes (72) than any other Premier League midfielder.
Against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League however, Schweinsteiger couldn't help Manchester United to victory. It wasn't for the want of trying, and in fact he laid a goal on a plate for Juan Mata in the second half with a sublime pass and generally played a good game, but as he and his United teammates were beaten 2-1, Bastian experienced something for the very first time:
Schweinsteiger lost the first Champions League group stage game for the 1st time of his career pic.twitter.com/C9Gvf8tVWk
— German stats (@GER_stats) September 15, 2015
13 years in the Bayern Munich first team and he never lost an opening Champions League group stage game, but he's managed to do it at the first time of asking with Manchester United.
This probably wasn't one of the "new experiences" he was seeking when he left Bayern. In all honesty Manchester United will most likely emerge from the group as winners, but Bastian will be hoping the only firsts he achieves from here on out will be positive ones.
