[funkdoctorspock]

Schweinsteiger has really had an excellent Euro 08.

Here's my thinking. If Ronaldo does indeed stay, where does Schweinsteiger play?

Does he start over Nani? Where would he in the winger depth chart alongside Fletcher, Park and Giggs?

If Ronaldo goes, this would be a great pickup. He's strong, quick and can put a cross in well. Plus he enjoys linking up play. Very important for a United side.

Despite putting on a brave face in their high-stakes battle to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, Manchester United are making a contingency plan in the burly form of Germany and Bayern Munich winger Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Sir Alex Ferguson is preparing a £12 million bid for the German in the event that Ronaldo leaves the club to join Real Madrid, according to Sunday newspaper reports.
Target man: United are interested in signing Bastian Schweinsteiger

News of Manchester United's interest will disappoint Chelsea with the West London club also preparing a bid for the 23-year-old who is in the last year of his contract with Bayern and has attracted considerable attention from Premier League clubs after stating his interest in moving to England.

"England does have a good appeal, as it is one of the world’s best leagues and I have heard all about it from Michael (Ballack), Jens Lehmann and Thomas Hitzlsperger who have all played there," Schweinsteiger said. "I’ve always wanted to play there and we’ll see if it happens this year."

The tempermental midfielder, sent off in Germany's first game at the European Championships against Poland but likely to start against Spain in the final, will discuss his club future in the coming days.

Schweinsteiger has apparently already discussed the situation with Bayern’s new manager Jurgen Klinsmann, the former Germany coach and Spurs forward.

"I may stay with Bayern but the coach has promised to be supportive of whatever decision I make," Schweinsteiger said.

Source

[GocartMozart]

he's so highly over-rated it's unbelievable. I do like how he seems to get himself open for a pass, but what he does with it has not been anything we couldn't find in another footballer. If on the other hand I wouldn't mind spending a few quid on his girlfriend.

[PaperCut]

I don't even want to think about a German in the team... I'm tired of all the "Michael Ballacks club..." stuff at Chelsea, so I don't need another one, plus I don't think he will play more often. He has a regular plays at Bayern Munich if I'm right and he should stay there. I don't think he fits into the team of Manchester that well...

[gerda1-1]

I believe we don't need Ronaldo. ALL team WORKED only on him!! If he leave MU, it will be better: we will buy Basty Schweinsteiger, and our play will be better than ever. We'll win everything!!! And we need Basty for that!

[Dirtycheat]

Schweinsteiger reminds me of alan smith so much.

They both have shit hair cuts. They both go in way too hard in challenges and are hot heads. They both lack technical skill and elegance but both work hard and hustle opposition into making mistakes.

He is a hard worker but attacking wise, i dont think he is too good.

Originally Posted by Gocartmozart

If on the other hand I wouldn't mind spending a few quid on his girlfriend.

I got that for free

[HunsingerUK]

I too think we should spend 12 million quid on his girl and throw a little something for him as well

[abhiramj]

i would prefer sneijder if we could get him.
would even prefer arshavin or van der waart playing as winger although they arent natural wingers...

[.aK122]

Players like Sneijder and Arshavin are exactly what we dont need at United. All we need is a striker, a replacement for Ronaldo if he goes and maybe a rightback.

Schweinsteiger is a good player imo but a transfer depends entirely on the Ronaldo situation. When all the press were saying he's basically gone we seemed interested on signing another winger. Now the reports have died down slightly we seem to not be interested in anyone.

[abhiramj]

We would need either one if ronaldo leaves. I would be happy if we got just a striker and retained ronlado.
I hope Anderson delivers or else we would need a very SOLID attacking midfielder. You saw how weak central midfield was against Chelsea in CL Final...Btw Deco for Chelsea and Arshavin for Arsenal does not help us either if Anderson doesn't play as well as either next season.
I hope Carrick plays better too but I guess he will be out of United after this season.

[.aK122]

Well first of all you do realise Schweinsteiger will play outwide if he does play for us and therefore will not do anything to our midfield. Anyway Carrick last season was a very important part of the system in linking every thing together. Anderson also began to show he could play in the Premiership by proving he's strong and quick enough to deal with any midfield battle. Player like Deco and Arshavin might not be a success in the Premiership due to the fact that they're just not used to the conditions. I think you need to stop 'jumping the gun' and relax, we'll be fine.