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The German last played for United in March. PA Wire/PA Images
Exiled

Schweinsteiger's Man United exit moves closer as player meets with MLS club

The German midfielder wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford but it’s unlikely he’ll get a chance.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER IS set to leave Manchester United in January after the German midfielder met with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire over the weekend.

The 32-year-old has found himself in exile at Manchester United since the arrival of Jose Mourinho and has yet to make an appearance this season.

Schweinsteiger had been forced to train with the club’s reserves and told he does not have a future at United despite being just one year into a three-year contract.

Although the World Cup winner has since been recalled to train with the first team, it is unlikely he will become part of Mourinho’s plans at Old Trafford and has been allowed negotiate a potential move away.

Reports suggest the former German captain is open to the idea of moving to America and he met with Chicago coach Veljko Paunovic over the weekend to begin talks.

Schweinsteiger joined United from Bayern Munich in July 2015 and started 13 games under Louis van Gaal last campaign, although his season was plagued by injuries.

Throughout the saga, the World Cup winner has remained professional and previously stated that he would not be leaving United for any other club in Europe.

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“I am trying to keep myself fit for the situation in which I am needed,” Schweinsteiger was quoted as saying by Eurosport last week.

“Hopefully I will be given a chance. I look forward to training every day and being able to train with the team. I do not know if I will get a chance but I hope so. If I am needed, I will give everything – I am ready.

“I still feel fit at 32 and certainly want to play more years at the top level and, of course, I want to win things. We won the FA Cup last year and that was also one of my aims. Of course it would be great to play for United in the Premier League and perhaps win it.

“I am not one to think of burying my head in the sand. I have always been a positive person and still am now. My rhythm is good – of course, it is different when you play each weekend compared with when you are only training, but I enjoy my football.”

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