Bastian Schweinsteiger has the contract. Bastian Schweinsteiger has the power.
The German midfielder is in from the Manchester cold.
Schweinsteiger got six minutes of EFL Cup action against West Ham on Wednesday evening and most Manchester United fans were made up for him.
The 32-year-old looked to have played his final game for United but with Jose Mourinho’s side caught short due to injuries and suspensions, he was back in the mix. He had four touches against the Hammers and each one was celebrated. He even slipped Ander Herrera a nice pass that helped tee up Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s second goal of the night.
Schweinsteiger is expected to be in United’s squad for Sunday’s away date with Everton but there is no point getting to excited about this miraculous comeback.
Many media outlets are running with a Mourinho comment, from today’s press briefing, that may suggest Schweinsteiger is back in the good books and set to stay until the end of the season. Asked if the World Cup winner could stay beyond January’s transfer window, Mourinho replied:
“Of course he can.”
Cue headlines and joyous social media reaction.
Bastian Schweinsteiger could stay at Man Utd beyond January, says Jose Mourinho.
Latest: https://t.co/6sw6aMe1sj#MUFC pic.twitter.com/TIGBJ2k139— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 2, 2016
Schweinsteiger is staying in january as Mourinho wants him to stay, looks like more game time for him
— Nick Morris (@Nickmorris69) December 2, 2016
This had me in tears. @BSchweinsteiger you legend. Hope this remains a constant. #Legend #Schweinsteiger @ManUtd @AnthonyMartial pic.twitter.com/Fimwsok6Ts
— Sounak Majumder (@smsounak7) December 1, 2016
José on Schweinsteiger staying at the club in January: "I like people who are determined."
[b/r]— MUFC Nashville (@mufmt) December 2, 2016
However, Mourinho was not finished.
The rest of his answer represents something closer to the current situation club and player find themselves in. Mourinho would move Schweinsteiger on if he could… but he can’t. The United boss continued:
“If you have a contract you are the powerful one that can decide your future. In the summer we try to make something happen for Bastian to get a different future. He decided to stay in difficult circumstances.
“In January he is the powerful one – and with better feelings than before.”
The MLS transfer window was not open during the summer but it will be in January. Chicago Fire are said to be keen on securing his signature but they may face competition.
A cynic might suggest that United are giving Schweinsteiger some game time in December to prove his fitness to potential buyers. That may be the case but it is up to the German to make the most of his cameo roles if he really wants to stay with United and play more that a fleeting role.
Michael Lundy joins Wooly for a wide-ranging discussion that starts with a chat about Ger Loughnane, dodgy transfers and Davy Fitzgerald’s training methods. Subscribe here on iTunes.
