Analysis Of Schweinsteiger's First United Start

After making his first competitive start for Manchester United, in the Reds’ 0-0 draw against Newcastle United at Old Trafford, Bastian Schweinsteiger’s performance comes under the spotlight…

Following three substitute appearances so far this campaign, the 31-year-old finally got his opportunity in the United XI after his summer move from Bayern Munich. In the only change from Tuesday’s 3-1 Champions League qualifier win over Club Brugge, the Germany international replaced Michael Carrick in the heart of the Reds’ midfield.

Louis van Gaal, who hinted Schweinsteiger would start on Friday, has made it clear that the World Cup-winner is still searching for full fitness and almost 60 minutes more under his belt should help towards to that.

Without doing anything extravagant, Schweinsteiger, who has eight Bundesliga titles to his name, once again proved why, with time, he should be a shrewd acquisition for van Gaal before being replaced by Carrick in the second half.

The first German to play for United looked assured and calm in midfield as you’d expect from a senior professional. His safe and reliable passing was a key feature of United’s fast start to the game, particularly when he found the impressive Luke Shaw down the left with a chipped pass during the opening exchanges. He also combined well with Wayne Rooney and utilised space effectively early in the match before Newcastle became more organised and defended impressively.

Around the half-hour mark Schweinsteiger appeared to be grimacing and hobbling, but he shook off the knock to continue controlling the midfield. His link-up with another recent buy, Morgan Schneiderlin, will please van Gaal, as the pair seem to have developed a good understanding of each other’s games already.

Just before being substituted, the German was once again seen hobbling in the centre of the field and he did speak to the physio as he took his place on the United bench. Van Gaal and United will be hoping it’s nothing too serious ahead of next week’s trips to Club Brugge and Swansea City.