MAN UTD MIDFIELDER Bastian Schweinsteiger believes that his new side have what it takes to improve upon last season’s fourth-placed Premier League finish and win the title.
The Germany international reunited with manager Louis van Gaal this summer as he said goodbye to Bayern Munich, excited to get the chance to pull on one of the most famous shirts in world football.
Relishing the prospect of challenging himself in England, Schweinsteiger told Sky Sports of their chances: “First of all, I think it is not easy to win a title in the Premier League as you have really good teams here but, if everyone works hard together and believes in each other, I think there is a chance to win the title.
“It is not easy; I know that. The rest of the team and coach knows that. We know what we can do and bring on the pitch so we have to be convinced about ourselves – and I think we are – but we have to work a lot.
“The year before last, Manchester United were seventh and then, last year, they were fourth and, after the first 10 matches, I remember United had 13 points but from that day on they played a really good season so I think we have the chance to come closer.
“I see the possibilities here and, with such a big club and its supporters, you can achieve something here this season. I am also looking forward to challenging myself but I especially want to win titles.
“I was looking forward my whole career to once playing somewhere else to get the experience and, if I thought about moving to England, I always had Manchester United in my head.
“I am looking forward to this challenge in my life. I won everything in Munich and had an unbelievable time there, we had big success, won the treble, and also with the national team we won the World Cup and now I was ready for a change.
“In 2010, I also had the possibility to change to another club but I was not ready as I wanted to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich first. Now I had a feeling that I deserve it, to see something different, and so in the end I have to say that the timing was perfect! And also to play for Manchester United is a really big honour.”
Schweinsteiger has had trouble in recent years with his fitness and is yet to reach peak condition for the new season but is adamant that some are overstating the extent of his injury problems.
“I am fit, I am getting fitter,” he insisted. “I had long holidays this summer and I came a little bit late to the team and then I had a small calf injury in America, which was not perfect, but I am getting in better and better shape and, within one or two weeks, I will be at the highest level and then I can play like I want.
“In the past, I was not injured that much. I had a small problem with my knee and one operation on my ankle three years ago. And by the way I won the World Cup, so you have to be fit!”
