Bastian Schweinsteiger still not fully fit for Manchester United - Louis van Gaal

Louis van Gaal admitted Bastian Schweinsteiger is still not fit enough to play 90 minutes for Manchester United.

The World Cup winner made his third substitute appearance for his new club as he came on for the second half of the 3-1 win against Club Brugge and Van Gaal said he needed the 31-year-old in his team.

But the Germany captain, who joined from Bayern Munich for £14.5 million in July, is yet to play for more than 45 minutes in either a preseason or competitive game.

Schweinsteiger missed United's 3-1 win over Barcelona with a calf problem and endured an injury-hit final year at Munich, while Pep Guardiola raised questions about his fitness.

And Van Gaal said in a news conference: "I have to build up the games for Schweinsteiger because we need Schweinsteiger in our team. He's coming to the United States [for the preseason tour] out of a holiday.

"I'm sorry, but then you are not fit. [Marcos] Rojo [who missed the preseason games] is not fit -- I have to build up them. When you are coming later, it's not good when you play because then you get injuries."

Van Gaal replaced Michael Carrick, who had scored an own goal, with Schweinsteiger at the break and confirmed his vice-captain, who endured a torrid first half, was not injured.

"It was a tactical switch, I have to build up Schweinsteiger and that is why I changed Michael and Schweinsteiger," he said. "Now I can spare Carrick and I can spare Schweinsteiger. It's not too bad I think."