Jose Mourinho : Schweinsteiger's recall a 'human decision'

11/03/2016

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has described Bastian Schweinsteiger's recall to first-team duties as a 'human and professional decision'. The Portuguese manager also recalled Phil Jones into the first team fold citing an 'injury crisis in defense' as the decisive factor.

Schweinsteiger had been training alone or with the reserves so far this season.

"Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally every day with the fitness coach we think that it is a human decision and professional decision to bring him back to the team," Mourinho said ahead of the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce.

“We made that decision last Thursday. We informed him last Friday so he could join the team last Monday."

Mourinho, however, appeared reluctant on handing the 32-year-old German a guaranteed place in the squad, as he stuck to his earlier stance that Schweinsteiger was only an option.

“He will be much better prepared and in much better condition in case his future decision is to leave the club. He will be much better condition to go direct into competition. But if he stays with us he becomes one more option," said the former Real Madrid boss.

Mourinho also gave an update on defender Jones, who is yet to make an appearance for the Manchester club since playing against Dortmund in a pre-season game. Injuries to Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia paved the way for the Englishman’s recall to the first team.

"He's (Jones) having a difficult relationship with injuries and it's been difficult this season for him, but he worked hard to recover and he's training with the team for more than a week now," Mourinho said. “We are in a difficult situation because we lost three defenders in a week - Valencia, Bailly and Smalling. We have to select him and maybe we have to play him."

Jose Mourinho : Schweinsteiger's recall a 'human decision'

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