Bastian Schweinsteiger: I'm confident of my fitness ahead of Manchester United's Club Bruges clash

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is confident of his fitness, and looking forward to the Champions League qualifier against Club Bruges on Tuesday.

Speaking to the press, Schweinsteiger 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.

"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."

Schweinsteiger also praised the team spirit, and the lengths to which his teammates have gone to make the new signings feel welcome to the side:

"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."

And he also was pleasantly surprised by his new city, and what it offers away from football:

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

"That was the biggest surprise,"

"But I have to say the people in Manchester are very respectful, very friendly, and I'm enjoying it."

United take on Bruges on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying round, at Old Trafford.