Bastian Schweinsteiger enjoyed his first start in a Manchester United shirt for over twelve months this past weekend, playing the entire 90 minutes as Jose Mourinho’s side ran out 4-0 winners over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round. The former Bayern Munich captain got his name onto the scoresheet for only the second time since moving to Old Trafford, adding the fourth goal late on.
There was more good news for the German, who has become a popular figure in the club’s fanbase despite barely featuring for United this year; Mourinho has confirmed that Schweinsteiger will not be sold during this January transfer window, and will instead go into his Europa League squad for the knockout stages next month.
“He is staying and he is going on the Europa League list because we opened spaces with Depay and Schneiderlin leaving,” said Mourinho after Sunday’s game. “We don’t have many players; in midfield we don’t have many options, so obviously he is an option.
“Ninety minutes today was probably too hard for him but it was important for him to have an impact with his volley and now I think he’s happy. If he was a good professional when he was not playing, now he’s having some minutes and opportunities he’s going to be the same good professional. With so many matches and competitions, he’s going to be an option.”
