Manchester United

Jose Mourinho: 'Bastian Schweinsteiger unlikely to play at Manchester United'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 26 August 2016

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says that midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is unlikely to make an appearance for the club this season.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that it will be "very difficult" for Bastian Schweinsteiger to play for the club this season.

Soon after Mourinho's arrival this summer, it was reported that Schweinsteiger did not feature in his plans but earlier this week, the Germany international insisted that he did not want to represent another European club.

With Bayern Munich unlikely to offer their former player a return to the Bundesliga, Schweinsteiger has limited options but even if he remains at Old Trafford, Mourinho has suggested that he is unlikely to return to the first-team squad.

The 53-year-old told reporters: "We have 23 players in squad. In principle, no-one leaving. That is more than enough. If we have any kind of problem and opportunity there are a few young players here and I would be more than happy to accelerate them.

"It is very difficult. Not impossible. But we have a decision completely made about Pogba, Herrera, Schneiderlin, Fellaini, Carrick. That is my five players for two positions."

Schweinsteiger made 31 appearances for United in all competitions last season.