So, Bastian Schweinsteiger is off to the Chicago Fire next season, where presumably upon his arrival a pipe and slippers will await. The World Cup winner's spell at Manchester United didn't quite work out how he might have liked as he made just 23 appearances in nearly two seasons, scoring a goal in each season. Schweinsteiger, signed by Louis van Gaal, was frozen out by Jose Mourinho when he joined the club and made to train with the under 21s (which some viewed as a humiliation, while others thought the pro-Schweini forum were demonstrating slight hysteria in reaction to Mourinho's move).
In fact, Schweinsteiger seemed to spend much of his time alternating between watching his wife Ana Ivanovic play tennis and posting cheery pictures and remarks on social media.
Have a good start into the week!
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) February 13, 2017
Enjoy your evening, guys! pic.twitter.com/y2GtEZwdX1
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) November 25, 2016
So it perhaps isn't surprising that Manchester United's tribute video contains approximately 17 seconds of him actually playing football (and we've included the 6 seconds of him celebrating near the end). The rest features Schweini smiling in training, Schweini smiling as he gets off the bus, Schweini smiling as he warms up, Schweini smiling as he takes a selfie, Schweini smiling as he meets young fans, Schweini smiling as he prepares to come on to the pitch and an incredibly boring contribution from Jesse Lingard. It's not quite the compilation of long-range goals and incredible passing that United doubtlessly hoped they would be enjoying at the end of the German's spell with them.
One senses a not-insignificant amount of straw-clutching amongst the United media team.
Schweinsteiger tribute
.@BSchweinsteiger: Deutscher fussball-meister! pic.twitter.com/AxzMbJI30q
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 21, 2017
Fair play to Schweinsteiger for clearly putting the team spirit and ethos ahead of himself. He was clearly a popular figure in the dressing room as a result of his professionalism.
