Ahead of his final Germany appearance, Bastian Schweinsteiger said yesterday he will not give up on his dream of playing again for Manchester United — despite his exile by Jose Mourinho.
Germany’s friendly against Finland in Moenchengladbach today doubles as Schweinsteiger’s farewell on his 121st — and final — international appearance when he will captain die Mannschaft for the last time.
The 32-year-old, who left Bayern Munich for Manchester in 2015, has a United contract running until 2018, but new coach Mourinho banished him to the Under-23 team early this month, insisting the soon-to-be ex-Germany captain is not in his plans.
Schweinsteiger says he will keep waiting for his chance at Old Trafford and insisted that he has ‘no problem’ with Mourinho.
“My absolute dream would be to play for Manchester United and help them reach their goals,” said Schweinsteiger at a German FA (DFB) press conference in Duesseldorf.
“I have had conversations (with the club) and I have no problem with Jose Mourinho, he has explained the situation to me from his perspective.
“We have to wait to see what happens in September and October and how things will develop, but I will definitely not stop playing football.”
While Schweinsteiger will bide his time in Manchester, he said a move to USA and the North American league (MLS) could be an option in the future.
“The transfer window has already closed (in the MLS), so there’s nothing there,” said Schweinsteiger.
“My dream remains to play for Manchester United.
“Mourinho showered (the 34-year-old Zlatan) Ibrahimovic with praise for still playing and if I get a fair chance, I believe in my abilities.
“It would be a dream to once more show the (Man Utd) fans what I can do.
“In the last year, things went well (at Man Utd) until I was banned (from the first-team).
“We have to see how the situation goes, but of course the USA is an option.”
Schweinsteiger says he is not letting the situation at Old Trafford get him down and that he has experienced worst moments in his career.
“I believe that things are good with me, despite the current situation,” he said.
“When I think about the Champions League final in Munich (when Bayern lost to Chelsea on penalties in 2012), that was more difficult to get over.
“I’ve mellowed and know how to deal with these situations.
“The football business is not only highs, but also lows, it is a hard business and not just on the sports side.”
Just over half of the 43,000 tickets, costing between 25-75 euros ($28-$83), have been sold for the match in Moenchengladbach with Schweinsteiger set to bow out after more than 12 years in the famous white shirt.
“I am looking forward to the evening,” he said.
“I know that the stadium perhaps won’t be full, but I will be pleased to see every fan who comes to the game, the atmosphere and singing the national anthem.
“I don’t know how many minutes I’ll be able to play.
“I haven’t played a game yet (this season), so I don’t know how the lungs will hold up.”
Loew has said he will only name Schweinsteiger’s replacement as Germany captain after the Finland international.
Bayern trio Manuel Neuer, who was skipper for five of their six Euro 2016 matches, Jerome Boateng and Thomas Mueller are all vying for the armband with Neuer as the favourite.