NEW MANCHESTER UNITED signing Bastian Schweinsteiger has not been fit for three years, according to Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola.
Schweinsteiger, 31, completed a summer move to Old Trafford for around £12 million (€17m) having spent his whole career with Bayern, but has struggled with injury problems in recent seasons.
The Germany captain made just 15 Bundesliga starts for Bayern last term as Guardiola’s side collected their third consecutive league title, and the Spaniard says his fitness issues are a concern.
“When he does not have injury problems, I am completely convinced he will do very well at Manchester United,” Guardiola told reporters.
“He is a top, top player. Unfortunately, he has had some problems with injuries in the past two years and he was not always 100 per cent fit. He is going to play really good [at United]. I really hope that is going to happen.”
Schweinsteiger’s move to the Premier League sees him reunite with Louis van Gaal, who coached him at Bayern between 2009 and 2011. The 31-year-old midfielder led Germany to success in the 2014 World Cup, but struggled for fitness before and after the tournament.
Upon returning from Brazil, Schweinsteiger managed just 20 league appearances in Bayern’s title-winning campaign and missed six of 12 Champions League ties.
