Mourinho hints Schweinsteiger could stay

He loves me, he loves me not. He loves me, he loves me not.

Such is the nature of Bastian Schweinsteiger's capricious relationship with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

After banishment to training with the club's reserve side, the German World Cup winner returned to United's first team for a four-minute substitute's appearance in Wednesday's 4-1 League Cup drubbing of West Ham.

It was Schweinsteiger's first appearance for the club since March, and amid reports linking him with a January move, Mourinho contends that the former Bayern Munich star holds the trump card.

When asked if Schweinsteiger could stay put, Mourinho told reporters, according to Sky Sports' Jefferson Lake, "Of course he can. When you have a contract with the club you are the powerful one."

Now, it appears as if the 32-year-old midfielder could see out the season at Old Trafford despite his unstable standing at the club.

"In the summer we tried to make something happen for Bastian to get a different future," Mourinho said of the player whom Louis van Gaal signed in 2015.

Among those reportedly interested in the German international's skills are MLS strugglers Chicago Fire. Those rumours gained traction after photos surfaced of Schweinsteiger and Fire boss Veljko Paunovic talking in Manchester in early November.

Even with rumours of a January exit, Mourinho says the player has the leverage in such cases.

"He was the powerful one and decided to stay, even in difficult circumstances. He worked for that and deserved the happiness of the last match ... I like people who are determined," Mourinho added.

If that isn't a vote of confidence from the Portuguese gaffer, nothing is.