Bastian Schweinsteiger Reveals Humiliating Treatment at Manchester United
Bastian Schweinsteiger lifted the lid on his ostracization at Manchester United, a period that ultimately led to his exit from the club.
Arrival and Abrupt Isolation
Schweinsteiger, a decorated World Cup winner with Germany, joined Manchester United to reunite with his former manager Louis van Gaal. However, his time at Old Trafford turned sour after Jose Mourinho replaced Van Gaal.
Despite Schweinsteiger’s experience and talent, Mourinho quickly sidelined him. A late return from the Euros in 2016 provided the initial pretext.
Training with Teenagers and a Birthday Surprise
Upon arriving for training after the Euros, Schweinsteiger found himself separated from the first team. He was relegated to training with the Under-16s and denied access to the same facilities as his senior teammates.
“It was 2016,” Schweinsteiger recounted, “and I was with the German national team… I stepped in a little later [at Manchester United] and the team were in the US for a pre-season tour. When I arrived on the first day, I trained with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and thought it was great…
“The next day, on my birthday, when I walked into Carrington [training ground], John Murtough was there and said that I wasn’t allowed to walk into the dressing room, the coach had said so. No warning, nothing.” speaking to the Overlap.
A Confused Locker Room and Legal Concerns
Bastian Schweinsteiger attempted to understand the situation by requesting a meeting with Mourinho, but received an unsatisfactory explanation. The players themselves were equally bewildered.
“I didn’t see them [teammates],” Schweinsteiger said, “sometimes I’d pass by a few or get a message. They said that they didn’t understand the decision, but I didn’t see them, I had to train in the morning or after their session to not see them.”
This treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger drew outrage from former Manchester United defender Gary Neville. Neville, who was a player representative during his time at the club, declared the treatment “illegal.”
“That’s illegal [treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger],” Neville exclaimed. “I was the PFA Union Representative, and you’re not allowed to do that, you can’t dismiss someone like that, it’s constructive dismissal in some ways.”
