Manchester United can win the Champions League this season, insists Bastian Schweinsteiger ahead of Wolfsburg clash 

• Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Manchester United can win the Champions League but must work hard to do so
• The Germany captain was speaking ahead of the Red Devils' Group clash with Wolfsburg at Old Trafford
• Schweinsteiger, captain and Wayne Rooney appeared in buoyant mood during Tuesday's training session 

By Mike Keegan For Mailonline

Published: 10:37 EST, 29 September 2015 | Updated: 11:23 EST, 29 September 2015

Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Manchester United can win the Champions League this season.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s Group B clash with Wolfsburg the midfielder, who lifted the trophy with Bayern Munich in 2013, was asked if he thought Louis van Gaal’s side had the tools to succeed for a first time since 2008.

‘Yes,’ he declared. ‘I think so but also I think we have to do our work.’ 

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteger, pictured right with Wayne Rooney, believes the club can win the Champions League

Rooney puts his head on Schweinsteiger's shoulder in a fit of laughter as the experienced duo prepare for another European fixture

Schweinsteiger appeared to be the Man United joker on Tuesday with Ashley Young (left) also pictured laughing in the German's company

Anthony Martial has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Old Trafford and appeared in buoyant mood during Tuesday's training session

Memphis Depay shares a joke with Rooney during Tuesday training at the club's Aon Training Complex in Carrington

Schweinsteiger was in a cheerful and confident mood as he spoke to the media during Tuesday afternoon's press conference

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal smiles as the Germany captain makes his way into the press conference 

Skipper Rooney also trained with a smile on his face as Manchester United sit top of the Premier League table after beating Sunderland

Manchester United's Spanish duo David de Gea and Juan Mata look on as they take to the training pitch following Saturday's victory

Martial (left) and Depay have both shone at Manchester United since joining the club this summer from Monaco and PSV respectively

The 31-year-old midfielder, who scored the last time United hosted German opposition, a 1-1 draw in the 2013-14 quarter-final, also called on United’s supporters to make Old Trafford an intimidating prospect for his compatriots.

‘It’s not easy to play here,’ he said.

‘Especially in the Champions League. The supporters, you can feel the power of them. It’s good for us but we have to play well.’

World Cup winner Schweinsteiger also revealed the reasons behind him settling quickly in Manchester following his £6.3m move from Bayern in the summer.

‘The whole club,’ he said.

'The people they were very friendly and helpful. They make it easy for me. I know the manager and the staff. No-one speaks German but that was not a problem for me. I think I am at an age where you can learn it and handle it. I feel very comfortable here. Old Trafford, for me it is a big stadium and it is a big honour to play for United in the stadium.’

English clubs have struggled in the Champions League of late with some claiming the physical demands of playing in the Premier League have hampered their cause. 

Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Rooney look bemused as they line up during a training ground exercise

Rooney is quickest out of the blocks as the England international races towards a training pole ahead of Schweinsteiger and Depay

Schweinsteiger is the most experienced Champions League player at Old Trafford with 130 appearances in the competition

Van Gaal watches on and will be hoping Man United can bounce back from defeat by PSV against Wolfsburg on Wednesday

But Schweinsteiger, who won 16 and drew three of his 23 outings against Wolfsburg while in Germany, said that was not the case.

‘Of course there is a difference to the Bundesliga,’ he explained.

‘But you also have a ball in the game so if you can handle the ball you can handle the physicality of the Premier League. Of course it’s different because you have no winter and there are a lot of matches. I feel good, My body is working. I am looking forward to playing all these matches – it’s a lot of fun to play in the Premier League.’

A documentary on Wayne Rooney to be screened on the BBC tonight reveals that Schweinsteiger’s team-mate enjoys writing poetry.

Schweinsteiger refused to comment on whether the Liverpudlian had scribed some verses for his fellow United players.

‘I never speak about what happens (in the dressing room),’ he said.

'Maybe sometimes I don’t understand him when he speaks in a Scouse accent!'

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