Bastian Schweinsteiger has been allowed back into Manchester United’s first team.
The former Bayern Munich star has been training on his own or with the Under-23 squad since new boss Jose Mourinho declared that he had no plans for him in the team.
But a report by Manchester Evening News said Mourinho has had a change of heart and allowed him back into the fold.
Schweinsteiger was missing from United’s annual team photographed published last week.
But the 2014 World Cup winner was back in training on Monday with the Reds’ first-team squad.
It is unclear about whether the move will mean a return to the squad for Schweinsteiger, who earlier this season said that United would be his last club in Europe, hinting at a move to China or America.
It would be recalled that back in August the Portuguese manager was asked if Schweinsteiger might still play for United and he replied: “I think it’s very difficult to happen. I’m not saying it’s impossible. I’m saying it’s very difficult.
“We have a decision completely made about Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick. We have five players for two positions. It’s very difficult that an opportunity will arrive.”
Schweinsteiger decided to stay on at Old Trafford with two years left of his United contract but with little prospect of ever playing again.
Mourinho said, “It’s his life. It’s his career. He has a contract with Man United and has the right to make that decision to stay.
“That’s not a problem for us. Football is made of decisions. I did that all my career. Not just me, everyone does.
“Some players react in a different way and have other kind of decisions. Bastian is not speaking a lot. He gave this last statement, which he is completely free to do in an objective and polite way like he did. There are no problems at all.”
If the German player finally finds hia way back on the pitch for United, he could help salvage Mourinho’s life at the club which has been described by the coach himself as a “disaster”.
The Old Trafford side is 8th on the Premier League table despite Summer heavy deals that brought in the likes of Paul Pogba (£89.0m), Eric Baily (£30m), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (undisclosed) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Free transfer).
