Football
Arindam Rej, Man United Correspondent 7y

Man United boss Jose Mourinho: Bastian Schweinsteiger 'is back'

Jose Mourinho has said it was a "professional decision" to bring Bastian Schweinsteiger back into the Manchester United fold.

Mourinho said the former Germany captain had conducted himself well during his exile and was an option if there were problems in midfield.

On Monday, United released pictures showing Schweinsteiger and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in training.

Schweinsteiger, signed by Louis van Gaal in 2015, had not been training with the first team following Mourinho's arrival in the summer.

The midfielder said in August that he "will be ready if the team needs me" but United subsequently wrote him off as an asset in the club's accounts.

The 32-year-old was included in United's 25-man squad for the Premier League but not for the Europa League, which means he would not be eligible to play in European competition until registration reopens for the knockout phase.

His return to training came after Ander Herrera -- who has been playing in a deeper midfield role -- was sent off in Saturday's 0-0 home draw against Burnley.

Schweinsteiger showed no sign of dissent throughout his exile, posting positive messages on his social media accounts.

And speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Mourinho said: "Schweinsteiger is back.

"We made that decision last Thursday. We phoned him last Friday so he could join the team on Monday.

"It was a decision based on fact that we are in a period of the season where it's really difficult with everybody together.

"Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally every day with the fitness coach, we think it's a professional decision to bring him back to the team.

"We will be much better prepared -- with much better conditions -- in case his future decision is to leave the club.

"In this moment, we have no problems in midfield, like we do in defence. If we do have problems in midfield, he's one option for us."

United's defensive injury problems saw four players -- Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones -- ruled out of the Burnley game.

Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian started for the first time in the Premier League this season, but Jones has returned to training and was named in the 21-man squad for the Europa League game at Fenerbahce on Thursday.

Darmian said: "I feel sorry for Antonio for his injury. We wait on his recovery, and I hope he can come back as soon as possible."

He warned that United would face a tough test at Fenerbahce, adding: "They are a good team with good players, so tomorrow we want to fight. We are here to win -- that's it."

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