United coach van Gaal criticises midfielder Schweinsteiger

Wolfsburg (Germany), Dec 10: Manchester United head coach Louis van Gaal has criticised midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger after the English football giants failed to survive the group stage of the European Champions League following 2-3 loss to VfL Wolfsburg here on Tuesday night.

The 31-year-old Schweinsteiger was taken off in the 69th minute in the game at the Volkswagen Arena here, reports Xinhua.

“I took him off and I don’t take players off for nothing. He wants to play at he highest level, but I can’t say he was the Schweinsteiger I saw during my Bayern Munich days,” van Gaal said after the duel.

“I’m sure he will show his strengths this season,” added the Dutchman.

Germany captain Schweinsteiger left Bayern for United before the start of the season. Van Gaal coached Bayern during 2009-2011 in which they started personal friendship.  (IANS)