Jose Mourinho hits back at Bayern Munich over Bastian Schweinsteiger

Jose Mourinho says it will be "very difficult" for Bastian Schweinsteiger to feature for Manchester United and says he is "surprised" Bayern Munich have not attempted to sign him.

The 32-year old former Germany captain has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford by Mourinho and made to train with reserves.

Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said he could "hardly believe" Mourinho's treatment of Schweinsteiger and believes it will turn players off joining the club in future.

Responding to those comments, Mourinho said on Friday: "I thought after I read some quotes from people at Bayern Munich that they would run to Manchester to bring him (Schweinsteiger) back, but no, that did not happen.

"I am quite surprised that Mr Rummennigge is not here now to take him back."

Schweinsteiger said earlier this week he will not sign for another European club and will be ready if United need him.

However, Mourinho does not envision that scenario happening given his wealth of options in midfield and the Portuguese even suggested he would promote young players ahead of Schweinsteiger should injuries strike.

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When asked about Schweinsteiger's chances of forcing his way into contention, Mourinho said: "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 (Schweinsteiger's fellow central midfielders).

"We have five players for two positions. It's very difficult that an opportunity will arrive.

"I have 23 players in the squad and in principle nobody is leaving, because I don't want anyone to leave.

"No-one is coming and 23 players are more than enough. If we have any kind of problem or any kind opportunity, I have a few young players in the academy that I will be more than happy to give an acceleration in that process and to bring them up now and again."

That leaves Schweinsteiger, who has two years remaining on his contract at United, in an unenviable position but Mourinho says he is not concerned about the situation.

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Mourinho said: "I cannot answer for him. 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."