Manchester United fans are happy to see Bastian Schweinsteiger back in the first-team squad.
The German midfielder’s troubles at Old Trafford have been well-documented since Jose Mourinho became manager. Schweinsteiger has been made train with the reserves, moved from the first-team dressing room and appeared to be biding his time until the January transfer window opened and he could exit the club.
Schweinsteiger wasn’t even included in United’s annual team photo, and was reportedly prevented from playing for the club’s U23 side.
Then, on Monday morning, the 32-year-old returned to the first-team training, with Mourinho seemingly offering him something of an olive branch.
This is a surprise… https://t.co/YkGMIWc1Lm
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 31, 2016
The return of Schweinsteiger has gone down well with United fans and his teammate Luke Shaw.
However, the England left-back would probably be wise not to be sound too happy about the end of Schweinsteiger’s exile from the first-team.
The comments from Shaw are harmless and well meaning, but Mourinho might not see it that way, as they effectively mean Shaw wasn’t best pleased about his teammate being frozen out, and therefore didn’t agree with his manager’s decision.
Shaw also found himself out of United’s first XI recently, only to return following the injury to Eric Bailly.
“It’s great to see him back. We found out the news a couple of days ago and it’s so great to have him back,” Shaw said about Schweinsteiger on Monday afternoon at the launch of the global partnership between a mattress and pillow maker and United. Yes, you read that correctly.
“The quality he possesses is a boost for our team and I’m so glad to have him back.”
“He’s a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself. It’s a great boost for us, the experience and the quality that he brings. The quality he possesses is a boost for our team and I’m so glad to have him back.”
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