Bastian Schweinsteiger's inclusion in the Man United line-up on Sunday against Wigan in the FA Cup surprised many. It was the German World Cup winner's first start for the Red Devils in over a year and he marked it with a decent performance, assisting a goal for Marouane Fellaini, helping start a counter-attack for Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal and getting on the scoresheet himself.
While one might not agree with some of the hysteria that surrounded the treatment of 'Schweini' over the past year or so - some German football figures unhappy with his axing from Jose Mourinho's plans - one couldn't deny that he looked destined to be frozen out for good at Old Trafford.
One thing that reportedly contributed to Schweinsteiger's demotion was the fact that he kept going to watch his wife and tennis star Ana Ivanovic playing in tournaments around Europe when he was injured rather than travelling to Old Trafford to cheer on his team-mates. It was said that some of United's players didn't take too kindly to this practice and that Mourinho himself took it strongly into consideration when deciding that Schweinsteiger wouldn't be in his plans.
This is why Schweinsteiger's celebration after scoring against Wigan was quite striking.
Schweinsteiger tennis celebration
It comes around 1.20 in the video below.
As Gary Lineker suggested, it may well have been a tribute to Roger Federer after his incredible victory over Rafael Nadal on Sunday morning to claim the Australian Open and his eighteenth Grand Slam.
Others saw the more obvious link with Ivanovic. Was it a bit of a cheeky stunt from 'Schweini', with Mourinho looking on and the German aware of how his behaviour in supporting his wife last season was generally viewed at Old Trafford?
If so, then chapeau, dear sir.
Schweinsteiger with the federer celebration. Two legends #MUFC
— James Donaghy (@JamesDonaghy_) January 29, 2017
was Schweinsteiger's tennis goal celebration a tribute to 'old men still got it' after the AusOpen? haha nice to see him get a goal 😬
— Amanda Dizon (@seraphsdesire) January 29, 2017
Schweinsteiger's backhand celebration 👌❤ #federer
— Tom (@average_pimpin) January 29, 2017
