Lothar Matthaus: 'Bastian Schweinsteiger move good for Germany'

By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter | 15 August 2015

Lothar Matthaus believes that Bastian Schweinsteiger's move to Manchester United can only be good news for Germany's Euro 2016 hopes.

Lothar Matthaus has claimed that Bastian Schweinsteiger's move to Manchester United is good news for Germany ahead of Euro 2016.

Injuries prevented Schweinsteiger from hitting his usual heights in the final two years of his Bayern career before the Bundesliga champions allowed him to complete a summer switch to Old Trafford.

However, Matthaus is confident that the responsibility of playing a key role under the guidance of Louis van Gaal will help the 31-year-old find his best form.

"Not very many teams have been able to win the World Cup and the European Championship back-to-back and the stable presence of an in-form Schweinsteiger will be a huge asset for Germany towards emulating France and Spain, whose midfield stability was a huge contributing factor," the World Cup winner told reporters.

"He is at a world-class team with a wonderful coach and will be training with some skilful teammates and competing against strong English teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

"Therefore, the chances of Germany having an in-form captain for Euro 2016 are higher. I hope he adapts well to the Premier League and is not jaded by next summer. The Premier League is very different from the Bundesliga in that it does not have a winter break."

Schweinsteiger has won 111 caps for Germany since his debut in 2004.