Bastian Schweinsteiger criticism: Germany coach Joachim Low defends his captain after Louis van Gaal comments

United boss said after Wolfsburf defeat: 'I cannot say that he was the Schweinsteiger from my period in Munich today'

(2015 Getty Images)

Germany manager Joachim Löw insists Bastian Schweinsteiger will remain as captain of the world champions despite criticism from his club Louis van Gaal.

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.

“I have changed him and I don't change players for nothing [because] I think I can do better with other players, but we are all human beings and also Bastian Schweinsteiger is a human being.” The Dutchman said.

“He wants to play at the highest level and certainly in Germany to show his qualities, but I cannot say that he was the Schweinsteiger from my period in Munich today.”

But Schweinsteiger’s national team manager responded by claiming his skipper is still ‘world-class’ despite his diminishing abilities and an important member of the squad.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (GETTY IMAGES)

“We at the German Football Association know what we are getting with Bastian," Low told the Bild newspaper.

“He's still a world-class player and undisputedly our captain.

“You've got to give even an experienced player like him time to adapt to a new league,” Low said. “I am sure that Manchester United are still going to get a lot of joy out of Schweinsteiger.”