Jose Mourinho recalls Bastian Schweinsteiger to United first team

The 32-year-old had made a £14.4m move from Bayern Munich to Old Trafford in 2015 and turned out in 31 matches under Louis van Gaal last season. Schweinsteiger tweeted a picture of himself training with the first team, a session conducted by Mourinho himself.

United defender Luke Shaw was delighted by the German legend's recall. "It's great to see him back. We found out the news a couple of days ago.He's a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself," Shaw told the BBC.

Mourinho has in the past said that Schweinsteiger was not a part of his plans at Old Trafford.

"My wish would be to continue playing for Manchester United but I have no personal problems with Jose Mourinho," the 27-year-old Schweinsteiger said in August.

Whether Schweinsteiger will make the matchday squad remains to be seen, but the German would definitely see this as progress.

United next take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday, but Schweinsteiger cannot feature in that game as he has been left out of the European squad.