Sunday 7 August 2016 14:08, UK
Bastian Schweinsteiger doesn't fit into the way Jose Mourinho will want his Manchester United side to play, says Sunday Supplement guest Steve Bates.
The midfielder appears to have been absent from Mourinho's first-team plans since the manager arrived at Old Trafford in the summer, with Schweinsteiger having to train with the reserves.
The World Cup winner was a notable omission from the squad selected for Wayne Rooney's testimonial against Everton on Wednesday, with world football players' union claiming the 32-year-old is being 'bullied' at United.
With eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League win to his name, he left Bayern Munich for United last summer and made 13 Premier League starts under Louis van Gaal during the 2015/16 season.
Injury marred the German's first season with the Red Devils and, speaking to Sunday Supplement, The Sunday People's Chief Football Writer Steve Bates believes Schweinsteiger's performances last season have given Mourinho a reason to doubt him, as the Portuguese looks to assemble his Manchester United side.
"He is a high-profile casualty of the nine players that he [Mourinho] felt he was going to jettison from his squad," Bates said. "Schweinsteiger probably wasn't a big surprise given his level wasn't good last season as he was injured and didn't really contribute.
"Mourinho is assembling his squad and he doesn't feel Schweinsteiger fits into the way he's going to play.
"I have to say, I have seen Schweinsteiger last season at Manchester United and he's not dynamic enough for the way Mourinho wants to play the game."
Asked by The Sun chief football reporter Neil Ashton whether Mourinho's behaviour towards Schweinsteiger is disrespectful given his standard, record and pedigree in the game, Bates said he doesn't believe it is as changes must be made.
"I know he was German captain in the Euros and had an impact for them and scored for them," Bates added. "But I don't think he can offer what Mourinho wants now, so while there's a lot of support for Schweinsteiger back in Germany, the guy hasn't done enough at Manchester United to warrant a place in Mourinho's squad going forward.
"There's a very small window of opportunity when you're a footballer at a club like Manchester United or Chelsea or Man City - you have to take that chance."
