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Schweinsteiger Now An 'Option' For Utd, To Be In Europa Squad – Mourinho
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored and assisted against Wigan on Sunday.
January 30th, 2017 | 10:02 AM | 934 views
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that Bastian Schweinsteiger will remain at the club as a selection option beyond January and will be in their Europa League squad.
Schweinsteiger, 32, made his first United start in over a year and played the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. He set up the opener with an impressive cross for Marouane Fellaini and then added a goal of his own, striking in the fourth with an overhead kick from close range.
Speaking about the midfielder at his postmatch news conference, Mourinho said: "Yes, he's staying and he's going to the Europa League list. There are spaces from Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin [leaving] and we don't have many players and many options in midfield.
"Ninety minutes today was hard for him. From minute 65, 70 it was difficult. But it was important to have this impact on his body. He was a good professional when he was not playing and he is going to be the same, good professional. With so many competitions and minutes [for United], he's an option."
Mourinho also continued a familiar theme of bemoaning the fixture pile-up that United have been dealt, comparing their schedule with Liverpool and Chelsea.
Even at the start of the season, Mourinho had mentioned those clubs' lack of European football -- and he has now highlighted how United's schedule continues to be even more demanding.
The United manager said "the calendars in the best country in world football are nonsense" and added: "I can imagine we are going to have some nice gifts. Many surprises are waiting for us.
"Liverpool are going to play 16 [Premier League] matches until the end of the season. Chelsea are going to play 16 matches until the end of the season -- plus some in the FA Cup [if they keep progressing].
"Southampton have 15 days without football before the [EFL Cup] final [against United on Feb. 26]. We have two games against St Etienne [in the Europa League] and the next round of the FA Cup."
Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC
by Arindam Rej
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