Manchester United new man Bastian Schweinsteiger has thanked team mate Marouane Fellaini for helping him settle into life at Manchester United. The German midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Bayern Munich for a fee believed to be around £14m. The 31-year-old has won it all in his career, including the World Cup on 2014. However, when you have spent your entire life plying your trade in Germany, making the switch to England so late on can be a difficult task.

Bastian Schweinsteiger believes that the key to success at a new club is all about feeling at home. Upon signing for United the German may have felt a little angst with being given the No.23 shirt on the pre-season tour of the United States. A man who has predominantly worn No.31 throughout his career, Schweinsteiger’s hopes to retain the number were blocked by Marouane Fellaini, who wore the shirt for United. However, the number was given to Schweinsteiger by Fellaini ahead of the new Premier League season, something that surprised the German.

The 31-year-old insists the simple gesture from the Belgian, and manager Louis van Gaal, has helped to smooth the transition from Germany to England.

“I was happy that the coach gave me the No.31 and was really surprised as well.” he told ManUtd.com

“So thank you to Felli too. For me, I played there since I played my first game for Bayern and 31 means a lot to me.”

“I didn’t expect the coach would give me the number but he decided, and the club decided, and it gives me a little bit more feeling like I’m at home, yes.”