An FA statement read: “Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials, but caught on video”.
Advertisement
United drew 0-0 against West Ham on Saturday, their fifth goalless draw in nine outings, and Schweinsteiger said they must start taking chances if they are to compete in what has become a surprisingly open title race.
Match referee Mark Clattenburg had a good view of the two players clashing together and called them over to calm things down.
Reid suggested the United player knew full well what he was doing.
Hammers manager Slaven Bilic added: “It’s a clear red card. I’m sure Bastian Schweinsteiger will still have a lot of fun at Manchester United”. It was a moment of madness.
Former referee Dermot Gallacher told Sky Sports News HQ on Monday: “I’m not convinced the referee’s seen what we’ve seen”.
The German midfielder will miss games against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke City, but should return in time for Manchester United’s game against Chelsea.
The Manchester United boss said the 31-year-old underperformed during the 3-2 Champions League defeat to Wolfsburg, a result which in effect relegated them to the Europa League.
Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger have begun to form a formidable partnership in the middle of the park for United, but now with a vital cog missing until after Christmas, Michael Carrick will now have to slot into the United engine room. “He is still a world-class player and undisputed as our captain”, he told Bild-Zeitung.
But Schweinsteiger received support from Germany head coach Joachim Low following Van Gaal’s criticism. ‘No matter how many referees you have, sometimes they can’t see.
Advertisement
“But do I want him to be banned now?” Bastian Schweinsteiger seems to elbow West Ham’s Winston Reid, but looking at the replay of the situation it might have been an accident as Schweinsteiger was trying to push off the pressuring West Ham player. “We need to get over it and do well with the players we do have”.
