Manchester United injury news: Bastian Schweinsteiger misses Germany training with knee injury

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has sustained a knee injury while on international duty with the German national team, ahead of their friendly with England. The German missed training on Wednesday and will undergo scans to realise the full extent of his setback.

The former Bayern Munich man has only just returned from a lengthy lay-off and came on as a second-half substitute against Manchester City at the Etihad last weekend. The midfielder is unlikely to be risked for the friendly given the circumstances as Joachim Low needs a fully fit squad for the European Championships scheduled later in the year.

"World Champion Schweinsteiger had sustained an injury after training on Tuesday afternoon on his right knee. For further investigation, the captain will undergo a MRI examination in the presence of national team doctor Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt in Munich," a statement on the German FA website said.

The news will come as a massive blow for United, who have closed the gap on City for a place in the top four, and Louis van Gaal would need all his players fit to go on a winning run until the end of the season. The Red Devils are only a point off their arch rivals and have a few tough games coming up against Everton and Tottenham in the league, before an FA Cup replay against West Ham, which is their only hope of a trophy this season.

Meanwhile, England have named a full strength squad to choose from for their friendlies against Germany and Netherlands in the next few days. They were impeded by the injury to Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling last weekend, with Tom Heaton being incorporated into the squad to compensate for the shot stopper. The Burnley goalkeeper will compete for a single spot along with Southampton keeper Fraser Forster and Stoke City custodian Jack Butland.