Bastian Schweinsteiger Trains With Manchester United First Team For First Time This Season
The German midfielder, 32, has trained with the United first team for the first time since being exiled by Jose Mourinho as soon as he arrived in the summer. Schweinsteiger, who made 31 appearances last season after signing from Bayern Munich for £14.4m, was given a Premier League squad number but was then made to train with the U21s and was not included in the Europa League squad.
He has not been included in a single match day squad this term but, after United went a fourth Premier League game without a win by drawing 0-0 at home to Burnley on Saturday, Schweinsteiger has been re-introduced to the fold.
Schweinsteiger warmed up with his team-mates and took part in ball-work with fellow midfielders; Marouane Fellaini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is also yet to break into Mourinho's first team since a summer move from Borussia Dortmund.
United have also been buoyed by the return of Phil Jones to first-team training on Monday after he suffered a string of injuries in recent weeks.
Defenders Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly are out until December, while defender Chris Smalling and striker Anthony Martial also have knocks.
United travel to face Fenerbahce in Europa League Group A on Thursday before taking on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
Back in August when the Old Trafford manager was asked if Schweinsteiger might still play for United he replied: “I think it’s very difficult to happen. I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m saying it’s very difficult.
“We have a decision completely made about Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick. We have five players for two positions. It’s very difficult that an opportunity will arrive."
Schweinsteiger decided to stay on at Old Trafford with two years left of his United contract but with little prospect of ever playing again.
Mourinho said, “It’s his life. It’s his career. He has a contract with Man United and has the right to make that decision to stay.
“That’s not a problem for us. Football is made of decisions. I did that all my career. Not just me, everyone does.
"Some players react in a different way and have other kind of decisions. Bastian is not speaking a lot. He gave this last statement, which he is completely free to do in an objective and polite way like he did. There are no problems at all.”
The exile pointed to difficulties. However, Schweinsteiger's return to train with his senior colleagues is a step forward.
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