Bastian Schweinsteiger's Impact Keeps Manchester United's Season Alive

Bastian Schweinsteiger had a pretty large hand in Manchester United's equalising goal against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Admittedly, it was the kind of hand that would have surely caused referee Martin Atkinson to disallow Anthony Martial's effort had he been aware of it. Schweinsteiger effectively blocked off the Hammers 'keeper, Darren Randolph, as he attempted to reach Ander Herrera's cross.

Nonetheless, it was appropriate the German was involved given the difference he had made to United following his arrival into the game.

He was brought on for Marouane Fellaini after 76 minutes. The Belgium international's removal was greeted with sarcastic cheers. Louis van Gaal was asked about the response after the game and replied, per the club's website:

"

I think Fellaini played, again, a good match. He performed well in our game-plan so that [the crowd reaction] was disappointing but it was the only moment that I was disappointed. The fans were supporting our side in spite of two losses this week. Maybe they have another opinion to me. 

"

Schweinsteiger's impact should have given the manager a hint as to why the crowd were so dissatisfied with Fellaini's presence. Having an experienced top-level midfielder in the centre of the park dramatically changed the dynamic of the game.

Van Gaal addressed this, though he was hardly fulsome in his praise. When asked about the 31-year-old's impact he replied, per the club's website again:

"

I think he did fantastically but, of course, he played 15 minutes and 90 minutes is different. I was very happy with him and also with Matteo Darmian. He has played only three minutes coming off the bench and onto the pitch because I wanted to make another change. He did well also when he had to come on. I have given a lot of compliments to my players.

"

It is surreal Van Gaal referenced Darmian in the same breath as Schweinsteiger. The latter dramatically changed the tone of the game, whereas WhoScored.com shows the former played three minutes, attempted one pass—which was unsuccessful—and made no tackles, interceptions or clearances. 

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Schweinsteiger completed 100 per cent of his 11 passes, made two tackles, blocked a shot and made an important late clearance. And—to be a tad euphemistic—distracted the West Ham 'keeper at a key moment.

Of course, the manager is right to point out that making a 15-minute impact is very different to keeping up that level of performance for 90 minutes.

Perhaps when he brought his former Bayern Munich man to the club, he expected more consistent output. But given the player's age (31) and injury profile over the past couple of seasons, the elder-statesman role is one that suits Schweinsteiger well.

He has made his impression felt at telling moments this season—the last-gasp own-goal winner at Watford in November, for example, was a result of his drive and endeavour. He has been extremely vocal on the pitch, especially when supporting young players. He is often pictured with an arm around the shoulder of a team-mate.

That is not to say it has all been positive. He has missed important periods of the campaign with injury and struggled with both form and fitness.

When United lost 3-2 to Wolfsburg in their crucial Champions League group-stage match in December, Schweinsteiger was so poor Van Gaal said after the game, per AFP (via Yahoo Sports): "He wants to play at the highest level, especially in Germany, to show his qualities, but I can't say he was the Bastian Schweinsteiger I saw during my Bayern Munich days." 

Of course, if Van Gaal thought he had bought the same player he had left at Bayern Munich after five years and several major injuries, he was misguided.

What he does have, though, is a player who can make an impact at key moments in key games. He also appears to have a settling influence on the team. There is some evidence for this in the side's record with and without his involvement.

Schweinsteiger has played 29 times for the Red Devils. United have won 16, drawn eight and lost five of those games. They have played 17 times without him, winning seven, drawing 3 and losing seven. Thus, they are losing around 17 per cent of the time he plays but 41 per cent of the time he does not.

He has not been the talismanic figure around whom success has been built, but he has been important. And as his cameo against West Ham showed, he has a part to play as United try to rescue their season.

Advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.