FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been named captain of the national team, replacing the retired Bastian Schweinsteiger.
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But he wants to fight for his place in Manchester United’s midfield rather than leaving for Major League Soccer.
It seems a long, long time since Schweinsteiger was lifting the World Cup trophy in Brazil after Germany’s extra-time win over Argentina.
He was made the country no 1 ahead of the 2010 World Cup following the death of Robert Enke.
Schweinsteiger released an official statement on his twitter account last week, in which he insisted he wouldn’t play for another European club. “But of course, the USA is an option”.
The former Bayern Munich star said he “will be ready if the team needs me” but Mourinho said Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick are above him in the pecking order.
He nevertheless said it was a hard decision to take since football has been and remains a huge part of his life.
Manuel Neuer says the retiring Bastian Schweinsteiger is a great example to follow as Germany captain and revealed the midfielder was gracious in passing on the armband.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is now playing his final ever game for Germany.
“The team’s faces change regularly, but we have to keep working hard, keep developing the team and fill any holes left (by retirements). It’s not all about highs, there are also lows but I can deal with it”, Schweinsteiger said. I hope that I get the chance there to help the team. “We have to wait to see what happens in September and October and how things will develop, but I will not stop playing football”.
“I’m really looking forward to this last game now”.
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“I know that he understands the duties that come with the role and expect that he will lead the players on and off the pitch”.
