Bastian Schweinsteiger to buy new Manchester United shirts for fans who got wrong squad number

German endearing himself to new fans

Bastian Schweinsteiger (GETTY IMAGES)

Even if he wasn't the first German to play for Manchester United, Bastian Schweinsteiger would already have gone a long way to becoming the club's favourite, despite only joining this season.

The former Bayern Munich man endeared himself to fans most recently by responding to someone who sent him a message saying he had bought the new United kit but with the wrong number on the back.

The mix up occurred when Schweinsteiger chose the number 31 for this season, despite lining up in pre-season with the number 23 on his back.

However, things worked out in the end for this particular United fan as Schweni replied with this generous offer.

"What a pity, Florian. I will send you a signed jersey in order to help you out here. Thank you for your great support! Amongst all other fans, who send in a picture wearing one of my old jerseys, I will give away 31 Manchester United jerseys."

The move from Schweinsteiger comes just a week after crosstown rival Sergio Aguero did the same thing for fans, offering to replace any 16 shirts with his new number 10 shirt having taken over the number following Edin Dzeko's departure.

Is free group shirt replacing by players this season's muted celebration? It'll probably need a catchier name if it is to become a 'thing' to be honest.