Bastian Schweinsteiger's Man United move good for Germany - Matthaus

Bastian Schweinsteiger's move to Manchester United will benefit Germany ahead of the 2016 European Championship, Lothar Matthaus has told ESPN FC.

Bayern Munich allowed Germany captain Schweinsteiger to join United this summer given the wealth of midfield options currently available to coach Pep Guardiola.

Louis van Gaal, who coached the player during his time at the Allianz Arena, is expected to give the 31-year-old a more prominent role at Old Trafford, and Bayern and Germany legend Matthaus feels he has made the right decision.

"Schweinsteiger did not get the feeling last year from coach Pep Guardiola that he was central to Bayern's scheme of things," Matthaus, who is visiting Singapore as a Bundesliga ambassador, said.

"With Guardiola having Xabi Alonso, Javi Martinez and Sebastian Rode for the defensive midfield role -- not to speak of the versatile Phillip Lahm as well -- Schweinsteiger thought his future lay elsewhere this year.

"Schweinsteiger was a talisman for Bayern Munich, the face of the club, having won eight Bundesliga titles and the 2012-13 Champions League title in 13 years."

Matthaus, who won the 1980 European Championship and 1990 World Cup as a player, said the transfer can help reigning world champions Germany to success at Euro 2016.

France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, while Spain won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and the 54-year-old says the midfielder can play an important role in helping Germany follow suit.

"Schweinsteiger is such a crucial player, as can be seen from the World Cup final against Argentina last year," said Matthaus, who was the inaugural FIFA World Footballer of the Year in 1991 and the only German to have got the recognition to date.

"Not very many teams have been able to win the World Cup and the European Championship back-to-back and the stable presence of an in-form Schweinsteiger will be a huge asset for Germany towards emulating France and Spain, whose midfield stability was a huge contributing factor.

"He is at a world-class team with a wonderful coach and will be training with some skilful teammates and competing against strong English teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea.

"Therefore, the chances of Germany having an in-form captain for Euro 2016 are higher. I hope he adapts well to the Premier League and is not jaded by next summer. The Premier League is very different from the Bundesliga in that it does not have a winter break."

Matthaus, a seven-time Bundesliga winner with Bayern, also said his former club remain eager to keep Guardiola at the club.

The coach has entered the final year of his contract and has said his future remains uncertain.

"The club has said they would like to keep Pep," Matthaus said. "It is up to him really whether he wants to continue after this season.