German football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger may have only spent two seasons at Manchester United, but he will never forget some of the teammates he shared the Old Trafford turf with.
Bastian Schweinsteiger had a legendary playing career at Bayern Munich and made an incredible 500 appearances during his time at the Allianz Arena.
The 40-year-old was recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of his time, winning eight Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and seven German Cups at Bayern.
In 2015, Louis van Gaal decided to sign the German for Manchester United, in a reported £14.4m transfer.
Unfortunately for Schweinsteiger, he arrived at Old Trafford too late in his career and struggled with his fitness during a short stint at the club, making just 35 appearances for United.
Perhaps the highlights of Schweinsteiger’s United career came when he won an FA Cup winners’ medal, although he was not part of the squad that beat Crystal Palace in the final at Wembley.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Bastian Schweinsteiger names his ultimate teammates XI
During his career, Schweinsteiger played with many top players.
It’s always interesting when the top players who retire select their best teammates from their careers.
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Schweinsteiger has revealed his in an interview with the Daily Mail and it includes two United players.
Wayne Rooney features in midfield alongside Michael Ballack, with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry on the wings.
Furthermore, Zlatan Ibrahimovic got the nod up front over former Bayern talisman Robert Lewandowski.
@dailymailsport ULTIMATE XI teammates edition with Bastian Schweinsteiger 🤩⚽️ #ucltrophytour #championsleague #bastianschweinsteiger #sport #football #news #zlatan #r9 #Soccer ♬ original sound – Daily Mail Sport
Both United players were coming to the end of their careers when they played with Schweinsteiger at the Theatre of Dreams.
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s ultimate teammates XI
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Defender: Philipp Lahm
Defender: Holger Badstuber
Defender: Jerome Boateng
Defender: David Alaba
Midfielder: Michael Ballack
Midfielder: Wayne Rooney
Winger: Arjen Robben
Winger: Franck Ribéry
Forward: Thomas Müller
Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
David de Gea misses out on Schweinsteiger’s teammate XI
The inclusion of Neuer shouldn’t come as a surprise given his heroics down the years for Bayern and Germany.
Interestingly, Schweinsteiger previously revealed that former United goalkeeper David de Gea once asked him directly if he was better than Neuer.
Neuer may be remembered as one of the greatest keepers of all time when he retires, boasting 12 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League crowns and one World Cup.
Despite all of that, De Gea asked Schweinsteiger if he was better than Neuer.
Schweinsteiger told BBC Radio 5 Live, as cited by the Manchester Evening News.
“David de Gea, when I first came to United he said to me, ‘Tell me, am I better than Manuel Neuer?’ I said, ‘No, you’re not’.
“It’s a different level. He was angry with me and little bit, but I told him the reality. Whenever he had a great game, he came to me after the game and asked me again.
“And I’d say, ‘You’re still not at that level’. You need to play with him (Neuer) to see. You need to train with him. Then you know for sure that he’s the best goalkeeper in the world.”