Jose Mourinho, who recently made a U-turn on his decision to axe Bastian Schweinsteiger from Manchester United's senior team, has now explained why he has recalled the German.
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The Portuguese tactician initially forced the 32-year-old to train with the reserves this season, and did not include the midfielder in his UEFA Europa League squad, but recalled him to first team training this week.
"Schweinsteiger is back," Mourinho confirmed in a pre-match press conference ahead of United's UEL clash against Fenerbahce on Thursday night, as quoted by Sky Sports.
"It was based on the fact we are in this time of the season where it is hard to train with all the players.
"So to do the tactical sessions I want to do, you need a certain number of players, but the group shrinks when people are injured or recovering. Many times we go to the Academy to bring young boys to have a group of the perfect numbers to train.
"Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally with the fitness coach, we think that it is a human and professional decision to bring him back to the team, and he will be much better prepared in case his future decision is to leave the club.
"If he stays with us, he becomes one more option. In this moment, we have no problems in midfield like we do in defence, but if we do, he is one more option."
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Schweinsteiger has made 31 appearances for the Red Devils since joining from Bayern Munich in july 2015, but is yet to feature under Mourinho.
Do you think Mourinho will start playing Schweinsteiger, or is the midfielder back at training just to make up the numbers? Have your say in the comments section below.
