Bastian vows to soldier on

– German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said yesterday Manchester United would be his “last club in Europe” and vowed to fight for his place in the team.

Schweinsteiger, 32, has been frozen out by new United manager Jose Mourinho and is yet to make a competitive appearance this season. But with the close of the transfer window just a week away, he told fans in a statement posted on Twitter that he has no desire to leave Old Trafford.

“MUFC will be my last club in Europe,” Schweinsteiger wrote.

“I respect other clubs, but Manchester United was the only one which could make me leave Bayern Munich. I will be ready, if the team needs me.

“This is all I can say about the current situation. I want to thank the fans for the amazing support over the recent weeks.”

Schweinsteiger came through the youth ranks at Bayern Munich and spent 13 years as a first-team player there, winning eight Bundesliga titles, seven German Cups and the Champions League.

He joined United for a reported fee of £14.4 million a year ago and made 31 appearances last season, scoring one goal. – AFP