Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that Bastian Schweinsteiger is already a leader within the team, just two months after joining the club.

The German World Cup winner moved to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich, where he spent 17 years of his career, in the summer transfer window.

While Wayne Rooney owns the captain's armband, Van Gaal believes that Schweinsteiger offers experience and guidance to the younger players in the squad.

"He was my former captain with Philipp Lahm [at Bayern] so I think he is very useful off the pitch, and you can see it already now," Van Gaal told reporters. "He has already been accepted as a leading player and that is why also we have bought him from Bayern Munich.

"I believe in a mixture between youth and older players and he is an example for the young players. I am very happy with him."

Schweinsteiger is expected to play a part in tonight's Champions League match against Wolfsburg.