A couple of prominent figures associated with Manchester United were debating the merits of signing Bastian Schweinsteiger shortly after the Germany midfielder’s arrival at Old Trafford in July last year.

One was convinced it was a shrewd purchase. The other was left nonplussed by the move, almost aghast at the acclaim with which some were greeting it. “Look at his injury record,” the dissenting voice said. “It’s rendered him immobile, and the last thing this team needs is any more immobility in midfield.”

A few weeks later, Pep Guardiola claimed he sanctioned Schweinsteiger’s sale because the player had barely been fit for the past three years. “Unfortunately, he was never in good condition,” the Bayern Munich coach said. “When he is in very good condition, I am convinced he will be a good player for them. I really hope that is going to happen”.

Except Guardiola knew it would not, and as Schweinsteiger faces up to another prolonged spell on the sidelines, this time with a partial tear to knee ligaments that could rule him out for most of the rest of the campaign, it is becoming increasingly apparent why Bayern were willing to offload one of their most illustrious players of the past decade for a lowly £6.6million.