Bastian Schweinsteiger has said that he regrets not being able to say goodbye to the Bayern Munich fans after his departure to Manchester United.

Schweinsteiger, 31, joined United on the day of Bayern's season-opening festival at the Allianz Arena, and did not attend the event as news of his move to Old Trafford had been made official.

"I would have loved to say goodbye the right way, but there wasn't a right moment for it," the midfielder told Die Zeit.

"I did not want to stand there with the Bayern jersey and greet the fans, only to say a couple of hours later, 'That was nice but I am off to England now.'

"That's especially because I have such a good relationship with the fans. That's the only reason I did not show up."

Schweinsteiger also said that he has settled in to Manchester but he misses walking to his local market to buy pretzels and fresh juice.

Written by
Calum Gillon