BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER IS inching closer towards the Manchester United exit door after he was reportedly banished to train with the club’s reserves by Jose Mourinho.
The German’s brother appeared to accuse the new United manager of a lack of respect last night after it emerged Schweinsteiger’s first-team locker had been cleared out.
The 32-year-old, who last week retired from international football, has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford exit, with Mourinho reportedly looking to offload a number of players.
With Paul Pogba on the verge of completing a world-record move from Juventus, reports suggest Mourinho has now deemed Schweinsteiger surplus to requirements, despite the club having only signed him last summer and there being two years left on his contract.
Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera are the options available to Mourinho in central midfield and the impending arrival of Pogba may spell the end of Schweinsteiger’s brief career in England.
With United willing to sell, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested that the door would be open for the midfielder to return to the Allianz Arena — although his £200,000-a-week wages at United could be a stumbling block.
“Should he speak at some point about a desire to return, then we will discuss it with him,” Rummenigge told Sport Bild.
Schweinsteiger posted a video on Twitter earlier this afternoon, thanking supporters for their wishes following his 32nd birthday on Monday.
Wearing his club training kit, he said: ”Hi guys, thank you very much for the birthday wishes and the positive comments I received about the national team career, I feel very honoured. I hope we’re gonna see each other soon. Bye.”
Basti Schweinsteiger / Twitter
Basti Schweinsteiger / Twitter / Twitter
Schweinsteiger’s first season at United was plagued by injuries as he made just 21 starts and 10 substitute appearances before his year was cut short with a knee problem.
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