Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger has admitted that he would have liked to have played more with two former Manchester United stars at Old Trafford.
Bastian Schweinsteiger had a legendary playing career at Bayern Munich and made a whopping 500 appearances during his time at the Allianz Arena.
The 39-year-old German former midfielder lifted eight Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and seven German Cups during his trophy-laden spell at Bayern.
Schweinsteiger made his exit from the Allianz Arena in 2015 and made a sensational move to Manchester United in a reported £14.4m deal.
The former United and Bayern midfielder was reunited with Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, having previously played under the Dutchman at the Bundesliga club.
Schweinsteiger lifted an FA Cup during his time at the Red Devils, with the former Germany international making 35 appearances for United in his career.
Schweinsteiger talks Man Utd and Jose Mourinho
Bastian Schweinsteiger left Old Trafford in 2017 and saw out the remainder of his illustrious playing career at MLS side Chicago Fire.
However, the Bayern Munich legend had a tough time at Manchester United after Louis van Gaal was sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho initially froze Schweinsteiger out of the first team and even sent the former United midfielder to train with the United Under-23s.
However, Schweinsteiger later managed to make his way back into the first team and even featured under former United boss Mourinho before his departure.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, the 2014 World Cup winner admitted he was surprised by his treatment from Mourinho considering his relationship with him.
“I must say, I always had a pretty good relationship with Jose Mourinho,” he said.
“When we spoke, it was very respectful. I really liked his character.”
Schweinsteiger added: “I don’t know, maybe it was also a decision by the board.
“You need to understand: I injured my knee the season before, I said I was going to have my treatment in Manchester, then the same injury happened again and the Euros were coming up, so I asked the club and Louis van Gaal if I could have the treatment in Germany.
“For a player, the most important thing is to be healthy and to come back as soon as possible.
“That was my goal, so I decided it like that, but it was not a decision against Manchester United.”
Schweinsteiger on two former Man Utd players
Schweinsteiger has revealed that Mourinho apologised to him later and the Bayern legend doesn’t hold any bad blood towards the ‘Special One.’
The former Germany and United midfielder admitted that he wished he had the opportunity to play more alongside Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a free signing in 2016 after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, while United landed Paul Pogba for a then-world-record fee of £89m.
“He apologised to me later,” Schweinsteiger said.
“I gave him a handshake and said ‘All good, don’t worry.’
“I would’ve liked to have played more, definitely, and with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, because with those two players I think we could have achieved much more.
“But I’m grateful to the supporters for the way they welcomed me when I had the chance to play.
“My dream was to play at Old Trafford again and it happened after a while, after training on my own, or with the under-19s or under-17s. Playing at Old Trafford again really meant a lot to me.”