Manchester United news: Bastian Schweinsteiger's return to training is ploy to get him fit for January transfer

The 32-year-old's return to first team training is reportedly just to get him fit for a possible move away from the club despite United's growing problems in midfield

Charlie Doris
Tuesday 01 November 2016 10:46 GMT
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Jose Mourinho appeared to make a U-turn over his decision to banish Bastian Schweinsteiger from United training
Jose Mourinho appeared to make a U-turn over his decision to banish Bastian Schweinsteiger from United training

Bastian Schweinsteiger’s recent return back to train with the Manchester United squad is to ensure that the midfielder is fit enough to be offloaded in January with a move to the MLS his most likely destination.

Schweinsteiger’s United future seemed to be looking up when Jose Mourinho invited the German World Cup winner back into the first team fold at Carrington last week.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder had been made to train alone up until then after Mourinho made it abundantly clear in pre-season that he would not be part of his future plans at the club.

And, although it seemed that Schweinsteiger’s United career might be taking a dramatic U-turn, reports now suggest that his return to first team training is just an attempt to prepare him for a move away from the club in January.

Sources at Old Trafford believe that Schweinsteiger will never play for the Red Devils again even though Mourinho was hoping to try and fit him back into the setup.

Many clubs were interested in signing the Germany international in the summer but it is rumoured that, if he does depart, his most likely destination will be to Major League Soccer.

Mourinho is reportedly keen to free up his considerable £130,000-a-week wages just in case the United boss is tempted to dip back into the transfer market in January.

Schweinsteiger was a key part of the United midfield last season under former boss Louis Van Gaal making 31 appearances following his £14.5million move from the German champions last summer.

Schweinsteiger is still believed to be a popular figure in the United dressing room and his return to training was welcomed positively by the majority of the squad including captain Wayne Rooney, who was pictured joking with the midfielder on the club’s official Instagram account.

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At the launch of United’s global partnership with mattress and pillow maker Mlily, Luke Shaw also spoke highly of Schweinsteiger and was happy to see him rejoin the squad last week.

“It's great to see him back,” Shaw said.

“We found out the news a couple of days ago and it's so great to have him back.

“He's a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself. It's a great boost for us, the experience and the quality that he brings.”

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