Manchester United Transfer News: Bastian Schweinsteiger Addresses Exit Rumours

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has said he will not be joining another European club this summer, with his time at Old Trafford looking set to come to an end.

Speculation has swirled about the German's since the Red Devils appointed Jose Mourinho as manager, and he posted the following message on social media addressing his situation:

Schweinsteiger joined United in the summer of 2015, still possessing a reputation as one of the standout midfield players in world football. However, his first season at the club was punctured by injury issues, and as such, the former Bayern Munich man played only a peripheral role.

Mourinho has cast a ruthless eye over his squad, in which there doesn’t look to be any place for Schweinsteiger at this juncture. Indeed, the Portuguese manager banished the 32-year-old World Cup-winner to the Red Devils reserve team, and the midfielder has not been involved in Mourinho’s squad for either of the team’s Premier League matches.

Football journalist Liam Canning is disappointed to see a player of such prestige marginalised so ruthlessly:

Schweinsteiger’s decision not to join another European club is an intriguing one. Having emerged through the Bayern youth setup, it’s clear he has a special affinity with the German club; during his time in Bavaria, the midfielder won a whopping eight league titles, plus the UEFA Champions League in 2013.

After leaving the Allianz Arena last summer and joining the Red Devils, he told the official United website that it’s “the only club that I would have left Munich for.” It’s a statement he looks set to honour.

Boris Streubel/Getty Images

Some potential destinations spring to mind. Major League Soccer in the United States has been a haven for experienced footballers who are coming towards the end of their career, with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole all playing in the division. The Chinese Super League has also lured some stars of the game to their teams.

While Schweinsteiger will most likely prolong his career with a transfer to a team from either of those divisions, it’s a shame that he’ll no longer be plying his trade at the absolute peak of the game.

When he’s fit, the German’s class in possession, tenacity off the ball and leadership qualities would make him an asset to plenty of Europe’s top outfits.