Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed what a former Manchester United star told him about his experience of playing in Germany.
Bastian Schweinsteiger had a legendary spell at the Allianz Arena and lifted eight Bundesliga titles, a Champions League trophy and seven German Cups.
The 39-year-old German former midfielder left Bayern Munich in 2015 and completed a sensational transfer to Manchester United.
Schweinsteiger was reunited with former United manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, having played under the Dutchman at Bayern.
The ex-Bayern star, who cost United a reported £14.4m at the time, found himself frozen out of the first team after Louis van Gaal was sacked from the club.
Schweinsteiger has candidly opened up about his torrid experience of playing under Jose Mourinho, who relegated the German to train with the United Under-23s.
Jose Mourinho later opened up about his regret over the treatment towards Schweinsteiger, with the Bayern legend later featuring under him at United.
Schweinsteiger saw out the remainder of his illustrious playing career in the States after he signed for MLS outfit Chicago Fire in 2017.
Schweinsteiger talks former Man Utd star’s admission
Despite his treatment at the hands of former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, Bastian Schweinsteiger still has a lot of love for the Red Devils.
The 2014 World Cup winner played against United during his time at Bayern Munich, including in a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford in the Champions League in 2010.
United defeated Bayern in the second-leg quarter-final tie, but Arjen Robben’s strike ensured the German side’s progression thanks to a 4-4 aggregate scoreline.
Schweinsteiger revealed that former United star Owen Hargreaves visited Bayern’s training facilities even after he left the Bundesliga club.
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up Owen Hargreaves from Bayern in 2007 for a fee believed to be around £17m.
Schweinsteiger said that former United and Bayern midfielder Hargreaves told him that he enjoyed the opportunity to experience a “new culture” by playing abroad.
“We faced Manchester United at Old Trafford, lost 3-2 but won on away goals, with Arjen Robben scoring a nice goal,” he told FourFourTwo magazine.
“When we left the field, all of the United supporters applauded us. That’s not normal in football. I really liked that.
“Owen Hargreaves also visited Bayern’s training facilities sometimes after he left and he said that it was nice to play abroad in a new culture, and you need to do it once in your life – that’s also what Franz Beckenbauer told me.
“I didn’t regret joining Manchester United at all – it was the right decision.
“Also, Louis van Gaal was the manager at Manchester United and I knew him, so that was a factor.”
Bayern legend Schweinsteiger on Man Utd
Schweinsteiger admitted that his affinity with United went back to his childhood and he even had Red Devils-themed memorabilia when he was a kid.
“When I was about 10 and playing football at home, I was wearing a Manchester United jersey,” he said.
“I also had an alarm clock that was Old Trafford and when you pressed it, it went ‘Glory, glory, Man United!’
“So I always said that if I ever left Bayern Munich, it would only be for Manchester United.”