Bastian Schweinsteiger says he idolised a Manchester United legend more than any other footballer during his childhood.
Although Bastian Schweinsteiger’s time at Manchester United was brief and ruined by injuries, the World Cup winner is widely appreciated as one of the best midfielders from the previous generation.
Schweinsteiger signed for United in 2015 to reunite with his former coach, Louis van Gaal, for a fee worth approximately £6.5million. That was when he became the first German to play for the United first team.
However, Schweinsteiger is one of eight players to play for both United and Bayern.
The German icon was part of Van Gaal’s squad that won the FA Cup in 2016, but he missed the final due to injury.
Schweinsteiger would struggle under Jose Mourinho before eventually leaving Old Trafford, having made 35 appearances for the club.
Still, Schweinsteiger named two former United players in his all-time teammates XI.
Bastian Schweinsteiger idolised Eric Cantona
Schweinsteiger retired six years ago at the age of 35 when he finished his playing career at MLS club Chicago Fire.
The former Bayern Munich and United midfielder has since worked as a football pundit for German broadcaster ARD.
After an incredibly successful career in Germany for Bayern and the national team, Schweinsteiger’s view on the sport carries weight, and he recently revealed that he grew up idolising a United player rather than one of the many German icons he grew up watching.
In a video shared across social media, Schweinsteiger answers a series of quickfire questions.
The first question posed to Schweinsteiger focused on which football he wanted to be as a child growing up in Germany.
Schweinsteiger named legendary United centre-forward Eric Cantona above all of the other players he idolised during his childhood.
“When I was a child I want to be like Eric Cantona,” Schweinsteiger said.
The former midfielder went on to describe Manuel Neuer as the best player he played with, despite being a goalkeeper.
Bastian Schweinsteiger hails David Beckham’s key attribute
One of the follow-up questions asked Schweinsteiger who was the best passer of the ball he had seen throughout his career.
This was when the 41-year-old named former United and England midfielder David Beckham as his preferred choice.
What we can take from Schweinsteiger’s answers is that he watched a lot of United matches growing up.
It’s no wonder Schweinsteiger left Bayern for a short stint at Old Trafford.
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