On the eve of the fourth game week of Europa League, Jose Mourinho has disclosed in a press conference the real reason behind the return of the German icon, Bastian Schweinsteiger. When pressed on the topic, the Portuguese mentioned the need to maintain his fitness and stature before any potential transfer.
Terming it as a ‘human decision’ to recall the midfielder for first team training, he highlighted the professional approach taken by Schweinsteiger all along while maintaining his fitness at individual fitness training sessions and stressed its importance for any futuristic decision to swap Manchester for one of its competitors.
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Also Read: Breaking: Bastian Schweinsteiger back in Manchester United training with the first team
On an even more disappointing note, Mourinho has stated that the decision to recall the Germany captain was made keeping in mind the requirements at the training sessions, “So the tactical work I like to do with 21 players, 23-24 max, doesn’t happen because the day after we play the players who played, train in a separate group and the group becomes 13 or 14 and with injuries it becomes 10 and 11. Many times we go to the academy to bring some young boys to have a group with the perfect numbers to train.”
This can be considered as an uncomfortable statement on the part of Mourinho as Schweinsteiger has previously categorically stated that after Bayern Munich and Manchester United were the only club he wanted to try his luck at and wouldn’t be joining any other European sides.
While he did mention the brief possibility of Schweinsteiger returning to the pitch in case of an injury crisis or if United is in dire need of his services, this all but ends the furore and excitement that had been built up amongst the Manchester United supporters as Mourinho is simply filling up the numbers in training.
Optimistically, Schweinsteiger’s presence on the training ground will provide a substantial lift to his peers who have underperformed in recent weeks. In any case, Schweinsteiger has not travelled along with the squad for their upcoming tie against Fenerbahce as he isn’t eligible for Europe League.
Also Read: Twitter reacts to Schweinsteiger returning to Manchester United training
On an unrelated topic, Mourinho has been charged by the Football Association for abusive and/or insulting language towards Mark Clattenburg at half-time during their tie against Burnley and has been fined £50,000 for the same. He now faces a touchline ban against Swansea City.
Alternatively, his comments about the suitability of Anthony Taylor as the official for the game against Liverpool is already under investigation by an autonomous commission.
