Manchester United fans have expressed their delight for out-of-favour Bastian Schweinsteiger as the German scored his first Old Trafford goal on Sunday.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder has largely been overlooked by Untied boss Jose Mourinho since the Portuguese’s arrival in the summer and is yet to register a minute of Premier League football this season.
Schweinsteiger was selected to start for Mourinho’s men in the club’s FA Cup tie against Wigan, though, alongside Marouane Fellaini, and capped the Red Devils’ scoring in the 4-0 victory over their Lancashire rivals.
With the game already won, Ander Herrera directed a tame header towards the Wigan goal which Schweinsteiger hooked into the back on the goal to cap his first start for the club in over a year.
A lot has been made of the midfielder’s exclusion, with United supporters making their support known during the 32-year-old’s sporadic appearances during the campaign.
Reaction to the goal was, on the whole, that of relief on behalf of Schweinsteiger, with some labelling him as a “hero”.
Bastian Schweinsteiger makes his first start in over a year for Manchester United.
1 Goal
1 AssistThe Legend is back!! pic.twitter.com/7yjNW9WZzK
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) January 29, 2017
Schweinsteiger forced his way out of the wilderness to cross like David Beckham and score overhead kicks. Hero.
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) January 29, 2017
Schweinsteiger wasn't even included in the team photo. Now he's started a game, assisted AND scored! ????????
— Manchester United (@ManUnitedWorld) January 29, 2017
Bastian Schweinsteiger's first goal at Old Trafford. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtdUpdates_) January 29, 2017
Still a quicker centre-midfield partnership than Fellaini and Schweinsteiger. pic.twitter.com/tNObEHWBCI
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) January 29, 2017
First start in over a year for Schweinsteiger and it's only taken him 45 minutes to register an assist. Has settled into the game well.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 29, 2017
2 – Bastian Schweinsteiger has both scored (1) and assisted (1) as many goals today as in his previous 33 games for Man Utd. Return.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 29, 2017
Bastian Schweinsteiger finally started. Assisted. Scored a beautiful goal. How many smiles can this one guy give you?
— Berbatov❤ (@EfoSanyang) January 29, 2017
Carrick can't play week in, week out?
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER IS YOUR ANSWER!
— OneStopUnited (@OneStopUnited) January 29, 2017
Almost cried when Bastian Schweinsteiger scored. Goal & Assist. Great comeback.
4-0 against Wigan. Let's WIN the Cup again #GGMU #ManWig ???— Jagrati Shukla (@JagratiShukla29) January 29, 2017
Bastian Schweinsteiger becomes the first German player to score for ManUtd at Old Trafford.
World Class Player.
— UtdWay (@UtdWay) January 29, 2017
