Manchester United transfer news: Bastian Schweinsteiger wants to stay despite Jose Mourinho talks
The 32-year-old midfielder has been deemed surplus to requirement by Mourinho
Bastian Schweinsteiger has claimed that he has “no personal problems” with Jose Mourinho despite being phased out of Manchester United’s first-team squad.
The 32-year-old midfielder has been deemed surplus to requirement by Mourinho and is reportedly training with the club’s reserves.
However, Schweinsteiger, who will retire from international football following Germany’s friendly against Finland on Wednesday night, believes he still has a lot to offer to his club side.
“My wish would be to continue playing for Manchester United,” Schweinsteiger said ahead of the friendly in Monchengladbach.
"I had a good conversation with Mourinho and have no problems with him. We must see how it goes.
“One thing is for sure: I'm not going to stop playing football,” he added. “I still believe in my own ability. I could still help Manchester United if given the chance.”
Mourinho has insisted that it will be "very difficult" for Schweinsteiger to break back into his first-team plans this season.
"We have a decision completely made about (Paul) Pogba, (Ander) Herrera, (Morgan) Schneiderlin, (Marouane) Fellaini and Michael Carrick (Schweinsteiger's fellow central midfielders)," he said last Friday.
"We have five players for two positions. It's very difficult that an opportunity will arrive."
Schweinsteiger, having ruled out moving to another European club, admitted that a move to the United States is “certainly an option” if his Old Trafford exile does not end.
Any switch to Major League Soccer would only come next year, however, when the league’s transfer window reopens on 18 February. The MLS’s most recent transfer window closed on 3 August.
Schweinsteiger was signed by Louis van Gaal last summer but struggled for both fitness and form during his debut campaign.
The Germany international and World Cup winner made only four appearances for United after suffering a knee injury in early January.
His absence from the club during his rehabilitation period led some of his teammates to believe that he was afforded "special treatment" by Van Gaal.
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