Jose Mourinho reveals Man United flop Bastian Schweinsteiger can remain at Old Trafford
Manager praises German World Cup winner's powerful work ethic that finally brought him in from the cold
JOSE MOURINHO admits he tried to get rid of Bastian Schweinsteiger in the summer.
But the German World Cup winner has battled his way back into his affections.
Forgotten man Schweinsteiger got his first minutes under Mourinho as a late sub in the 4-1 EFL Cup win West Ham.
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He had only recently returned to first team training after being excluded and told to work on his own.
But it has been his work at the Carrington Training Ground that has got him back in.
Mourinho said: “In the summer we tried to make something happen for Bastian to have a different future but he was the powerful one and he decided to stay in difficult circumstances and worked for that.
“In January again he will be the powerful one but probably with better feelings than before because he’s working with the team.
“I like players with determination.
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“When he was not training with the team he reacted it in a professional way.
“When he was training with the team he struggled a bit but managed to do it without injuries or needing to stop so was continually working for a month, so I thought it’d help for him to play a bit.
“He’s another one who can help us. During the season there are injuries and suspensions.
“Pogba and Fellaini were both suspended for the West Ham match and he was ready.”
Last season’s top scorer Anthony Martial was also restored to the team on Wednesday and responded with two goals.
Mourinho admits that his attitude in training has improved, hence his recall.
He said: “He’s working. He’s working harder than before to be honest. "
When he scores it helps, happiness and confidence levels to come back.
“As an attacking player you can play very, very well but if you don’t score the happiness isn’t there.”