Bastian Schweinsteiger is done with Europe. Sometimes, you push a man to the brink (looking at you, Jose) and he just says, “Fuck it.”
Just a few weeks after announcing his retirement from the German national team, he tweeted that Manchester United will be his last team in Europe.
Jose Mourinho pushed one of the greatest midfielders of a generation out of the Man United fold more casually than a craps dealer moves dice around the table.
Sure, Schweini might have showed up to training camp a little overweight, but a player of his caliber should get a pass before being demoted to the junior squad like a rookie who skipped practice. Just ask Basti’s little brother, Tobi.
I feel for the Schweini, but let’s remember that he’s getting paid $200,000 a week to play muff with United’s JV team, so I’m not losing any sleep over the whole thing.
He’s the consummate pro and knows how to roll with the punches. His legacy as an all-time great is cemented, and playing for Manchester United was just the cherry on top for him. He probably wasn’t real stoked about getting cut, but he’ll survive.
That being said, Man United is looking like the team to beat in the Premier League. Zlatan is firing on all cylinders and Jose Mourinho just might know what he’s doing.
Which one of these Manchester United moments is your favourite?
Eric Cantona
Everyone can remember that chip against Sunderland from King Eric. Everything about the goal, the flight time of the ball to the celebration of the Frenchman was nothing short of poetry. The look from United’s no. 7, and the hoist of the collar just about summed up the football renegade in 30 seconds. Image Source: Twitter
Gary Neville
If people ask, are Liverpool, Man United’s greatest rivals? You only have to look as far as that Gary Neville celebration against the Merseyside club. Whether he was right or wrong, you couldn't help but let out a wry smile when G Nev celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans. It led to the United captain being charged £5,000. But, who could blame the right-back? Rio Ferdinand’s last-minute winner against Liverpool, no doubt made the fine well worth it. Image Source: Twitter
Robin van Persie
Lol RvP doesn't start for Fenerbahce now. Image Source: Getty
’20, times, 20 times…’
This is an odd choice, but one Man United fans may never forget. The Reds were 3-0 down at Old Trafford, to LIVERPOOL, under David Moyes. Could there be a worst case scenario? You'd usually expect to hear a load of Mancs swearing to the away end, or ripping their chairs out. However, the Stretford End instead sang ’20 times, 20 times…’ for around 10 solid minutes. An amazing moment, in which history and tradition outweighed getting turned over 3-0 by the biggest enemy on home soil. Incredible. Image Source: Twitter
Steve Bruce
Welcome to 'Fergie Time'. The old boy was known for his ferocious watch-tapping as he chumps on the gum harder than a raver at some grimy festival. Big Stevie Bruce’s winner against, Sheffield Wednesday, seven minutes after the whistle had gone, to clinch the title, is the best possible introduction to the famous 'Fergie Time'. Brian Kidd’s celebration on the touchline wasn’t bad either. Image Source: Twitter
Alan Hansen
Who could ever forget the Scot's famous line in 1995, “You'll never win anything with kids”. We often see pundits eat their own words, but nothing has quite topped Hansen’s rant, followed by the infamous line. How wrong the pundit could be, as the ‘kids’ went on to a memorable title. Image Source: Twitter
Wayne Rooney
"Nani crosses the ball from the touchline, and it's Rooneyyyyyyy!" Image Source: Twitter
Man United 8, Arsenal 2
The image of Fergie almost looking apologetic, and consoling Wenger on the touchline after the game was one of the pictures of 2011. Image Source: Twitter
David Beckham
One of the ‘kids’. The one leading the pack with a new haircut every day. That weekend against Wimbledon, the golden curtains decided to score one of the most famous Premier League goals ever. Image Source: Twitter
Noisy Neighbours
After Fergie coined the blue-half of Manchester, the Noisy Neighbours, what better way to silence them through a Liverpool legend - step up, Michael Owen. Image Source: Twitter
Pizza Gate
To be fair to Arsenal, the ‘2004 Invincibles’ was probably the best ever Premier League team. To go a whole season undefeated, highlighted the balance and brilliance Wenger had at his disposal. However, all that had to come to an end, and of course, it was at Old Trafford. The 2-0 victory for the Red Devils ended in real drama, with Cesc Fabregas, throwing Pizza at the United boss, and about a 22-man brawl in the tunnel. They don’t make rivalries like this anymore! Image Source: Twitter
Bye-bye Fergie
Fergie’s last game at Old Trafford won’t be remembered as a classic, a 2-1 victory against Swansea. But the guard of honour, to the boss’s speech was an overwhelming occasion for United fans. A real moment of history at Man United, as the league waved goodbye to its greatest ever manager. Image Source: Twitter
Schweinsteiger’s message is a little cryptic. “MUFC will be my last club in Europe” is a far cry from “I am retiring.”
At 32, he’s still got a few years left in those legendary boots.
If he’s leaving Europe, he’s either going to the U.S. or China because that’s where the money is.
Somehow, he doesn’t strike me as someone who’s real eager to play in China, so, fingers crossed, we’ll be seeing Bastian Schweinsteiger in MLS next year.
If Pirlo, Lampard, Villa, and Kaká can do it, so can Schweini.
Start the discussion
Login to comment