Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger has launched legal proceedings against a Chinese company who have released a doll based on a Nazi World War II soldier.

The doll which is named "Bastian" was created by DiD Corporation and depicts a German soldier in action during the war.

German newspaper Bild spoke with DiD spokesperson who said; "The resemblance is purely coincidental. The figure is based on a typical German. We believe most Germans look like this. Bastian is a common name in Germany.'

The doll is still currently available to buy on their website despite the legal threat from the German international.

Schweinsteiger joined Manchester United last summer after spending his whole career at Bayern Munich where he won every major national and international club competition.

Picture by: Frank Augstein / AP/Press Association Images