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Bastian Schweinsteiger can be a new pillar of United and help mentor Louis van Gaal’s side become a force again in the Champions League.

The Reds 2008 European Cup winner Owen Hargreaves believes the German’s Euro CV is the key to United making an impact back on the big stage.

BT Sport pundit Hargreaves, who was part of United’s Moscow triumph against Chelsea seven years ago, had previously been a team-mate at Bayern of Schweinsteiger’s.

When Hargreaves moved to Old Trafford the German World Cup winner went on to firmly establish himself as Bayern’s midfield kingpin.

And the qualities that helped the Reds £6.5m summer buy to eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League can drive United’s Euro quest which begins next Tuesday night in Eindhoven against PSV in the first group match, and challenge again in the Premier League.

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“The transition has been tough at United. There were always a lot of pillars at United. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic were the kind of pillars who kept United up where they were,” says Hargreaves.

“Now there are not so many who jump out in that category. United need pillars. Fans like to think they are in safe hands when they see their team go onto the pitch. Those experienced big game players United have been used to gave the supporters that feeling. When they were in the team you felt comfortable.

“Bastian will be one of those big players because he has the experience, the success, the personality and character to take on the job. His experience is unsurpassed and he is a great guy who will communicate well and the respect he has will mean he will be a great mentor to younger players at United.

“On the pitch he is going to be a huge influence. Particularly on big European nights he is going to be a massive.

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“Basti can control the tempo of the matches in Europe. He has the ability to either speed it up or slow it down.

“It looks like he is still trying to find a place in Van Gaal’s system but when he does and he starts doing the job he did at Bayern then he will be a terrific influence. The £6.5m United paid is a bargain but he is actually priceless because of what he will bring to the party.”

* Watch PSV v Manchester United on Tuesday 15 September live and exclusive from 7.30pm on BT Sport 2. BT Sport is the new home of European football, with all UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches exclusively live. Visit btsport.com/europe