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Schweinsteiger unlikely to play for Man United: Mourinho

The United boss even suggested there is more chance of academy players featuring in his side than the 32-year-old German.

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He said: “I thought, when I read some quotes from people at Bayern Munich, they would run to Manchester to bring (Schweinsteiger) back, but no, that didn’t happen”.

On possible transfers before the deadline, Mourinho added: “I think we are going to have a very quiet week”.

United came fifth in the Premier League under Louis van Gaal last season, and Mourinho added: “I think it’s going to be a very hard season for everyone but I think the traditional top teams had a bad experience past year that they don’t want to repeat”. We have a decision completely made about Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick. “It’s very hard that an opportunity will arrive [for him]”.

I have spoken to him about it. “I think the top teams will go back to normality this year, but only one can win it”. It’s his life, his career. He has a contract with Manchester United and has the right to make that decision to stay. So that’s not a problem for us. He gave his last statement which he’s completely free to do in an objective and polite way, as he did. No problems at all. “I respect other clubs, but Manchester United was the only one which could make me leave Bayern Munich. I am quite surprised Mr (Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge is not here now to take him back”. I like Cameron Borthwick-Jackson a lot but he’s going to Wolves to play. “These are the decisions that every club does”.

Mourinho, though, has reassured Marcus Rashford that he will get enough first-team football to continue his rapid development.

But the German has seemed to enjoy his time at Manchester United without playing.

They look a Mourinho team now too, United. Mourinho, though, has been impressed with him and also welcomed the decision to select him for England’s under-21 squad rather than the senior team.

Mourinho, famously, works with 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers. “I can not choose competitions, I can not say Zlatan doesn’t play one single Europa League game”.

Mkhitaryan, a £30million off-season signing for United from Borussia Dortmund, has played just 29 Premier League minutes off the bench to begin the campaign. For an 18-year-old boy, he is wonderful. I will be ready, if the team needs me.

Competition for places in midfield is fierce, as Mourinho essentially has five players competing for two spots.

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Besides transfer business, Mourinho talked about the recent Europa League draw.

Bastian Schweinsteiger