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Bastian Schweinsteiger knows how it feels to lift the famous Champions League trophy.

The World Cup, too, for that matter.

But on Tuesday he will run out wearing the red of Manchester United instead of Bayern Munich for the first time in Europe’s top cup competition.

And while the qualifying clash with

Bruges may be a far cry from the showpiece of a final he is still champing at the bit for the game to begin.

The Germany captain, 31, said: “I’m looking forward to it a lot. I really like the night games – at Old Trafford it will also be a special atmosphere.

“It’s very important to control the game against Bruges. We have to score and the most important thing is to defend like a team, as we did against Aston Villa and also against Tottenham, so the team spirit is very good.

(Image: Getty)

“Holding the Champions League and the World Cup are both really good, but I’m here now to make an impact, a good one, and I’m also looking forward to playing in England for United.

“I played once in a qualification game for Munich, so this is different to normal group games, but our first goal is to have a good result in the first leg.

“I’m looking forward to playing more and more games and getting better and better with my fitness levels.”

Schweinsteiger’s former coach Pep Guardiola questioned those fitness levels following his summer move, but the midfielder got another 30 minutes under his belt (above) as United won at Villa Park on Friday to make it two 1-0 victories in two games at the start of the Premier League season.

Schweinsteiger said: “It was important to play 30 minutes and step by step I want to reach 100 per cent.

“I am fit, I am getting fitter. I had long holidays this summer and I came a little bit late to the team. And then I had a small calf injury in America, which was not perfect.

“But I am getting in better and better shape and within one or two weeks I will be at the highest level and then I can play like I want.

“In the past, I was not injured that much. I had a small problem with my knee and one operation on my ankle three years ago. And by the way, I won the World Cup in Brazil, so you have to be fit.”

The £14.4million signing said he is settling well and is even beginning to wonder if the stories about the famous Manchester weather systems are fiction rather than fact.

(Image: Tom Purslow)

He said: “Everyone has done an amazing job helping the new players settle in, especially our team-mates.

“It’s a good dressing room, everyone joining together, it’s a lot of fun.

“The most important thing is that we’re a team –and we are like a team.

“We still have to work and improve, but we will get to the next level.

“Manchester itself has been a really positive surprise, there are some nice restaurants but also the nice weather.

“That was the biggest surprise,” he added, laughing.

“But I have to say the people in Manchester are very respectful, very friendly, and I’m enjoying it.”

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty)

Morgan Schneiderlin, meanwhile, says he will realise his dream when he and his new Manchester United pals take on Bruges in their qualifier on Tuesday.

Midfielder Schneiderlin) said: “I am very excited. Every footballer wants to play in the Champions League. For me it will be a debut but we will prepare like we do for every game. We want to play every Tuesday or Wednesday – it is a top priority for us.”

Team-mate Chris Smalling added: We have definitely missed the Champions League. Last year was a massive void and has made us that much more hungry to make sure we do the job next week and in the second leg.”