Schweinsteiger returns to Manchester United training after exile
Bastian Schweinsteiger is no longer training alone at Carrington.
Jose Mourinho has ended the exile he imposed on the midfielder by welcoming him back to Manchester United's first-team training on Monday, more than seven months since he last played for the club.
Back to work for #MUFC! pic.twitter.com/laCEkCnqOc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 31, 2016
The 32-year-old's exclusion from senior consideration since Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal last summer has led to an outpouring of support from his homeland - including former Germany and Bayern Munich teammate Manuel Neuer.
That backing didn't seem to reach northwest England, however, as Schweinsteiger - along with the FA Cup trophy won under Mourinho's predecessor - was left off the 2016-17 season team photo only last week.
The veteran's return, however, which coincided with run-outs on the training pitches for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Wayne Rooney, will give United fans hope that Mourinho can find the right formula in deep-lying midfield.
Ander Herrera appeared to steal ahead of Marouane Fellaini, Morgan Schneiderlin, and Michael Carrick for consideration alongside Paul Pogba, but the Spaniard was sent off in Saturday's disappointing 0-0 home draw with Burnley.
United has a tricky Europa League trip to Fenerbahce on Thursday, before returning to Premier League duty at Swansea City next Sunday.