Mourinho: Why Schweinsteiger is back

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has clarified the situation with Bastian Schweinsteiger, explaining it was a "human decision" to include the midfielder in first-team training again.

Schweinsteiger, who has not made an appearance for the Reds this season, was pictured being put through his paces with the senior squad on Monday. But the German was not in the squad that flew to Turkey for Thursday’s game against Fenerbahce, as he is ineligible for the Europa League group stages.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho revealed that the decision to include Schweinsteiger in training was taken last Thursday and the German was informed a day later. The manager feels the World Cup winner will benefit personally and could also be an option if there are injuries in midfield, like United are currently experiencing in defence.

"It's a decision based on the fact that we are in a period of the season where it's really difficult to train with everyone together," Mourinho said. 

"At the moment, the day after we've played, the players train in a separate group – they do a specific recovery session. The group, instead of being 23 or 24, becomes 13 or 14, and then, with injuries, maybe 10 or 11. 

"Many times, we go to the Academy to bring some young boys to have a group with the perfect numbers to train, match after match, week after week. Now, for example, on Friday, the players that play here [in Istanbul] are not going to train with the main group and this is the normal routine. 

"Looking at Bastian and the way he was working professionally with the fitness coach, we think that it's a human decision, a professional decision, to bring him back to the team. He'll be much better prepared and in much better condition in case his future decision is to leave the club; he'll be much better prepared for competition if he stays with us. 

"It becomes one more option. At the moment, we have no problems in midfield like we have in defence but, if we have problems in midfield, it's another option for us. It's a human decision based on the training numbers and methods, but also a decision that can be positive for the group. It's positive for us and for him."

Bastian Schweinsteiger should still leave Manchester United - Bayern CEO

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has urged Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave Manchester United despite his return to first-team training on Monday.

The 32-year-old ex-Bayern midfielder was back on the training pitch with the senior squad on Monday, after been ousted out by manager, Jose Mourinho, in September. Though, with German outlet Sport1 reporting that he had been putting in extra shifts in recent weeks to be prepared for an eventual comeback.

However, Rummenigge -- who had been strongly critical of Mourinho's decision to demote the player in August -- told Bild: "My wish for him is that he finds a solution once the transfer window opens in January."

Rummenigge again questioned Mourinho's handling of the situation, saying: "It's difficult to manage a generation change but, nevertheless, you have to do it with tact."

Schweinsteiger, who has previously said United will be his last club in Europe and vowed to be ready for the team if required, wrote on his Twitter account on Monday: "Felt great today! Team is in good shape, results will follow!"

The German's return was also welcomed by left-back Luke Shaw, who said: "It's great to see him back. We found out the news a couple of days ago and it's so great to have him back.

"He's a big influence in the dressing room and obviously on the pitch, especially for the young players like myself.

"It's a great boost for us, the experience and the quality that he brings. The quality he possesses is a boost for our team and I'm so glad to have him back.''

Schweinsteiger was included in United's 25-man squad for the Premier League but was not included in the selection for the Europa League, which means he would not be eligible to play in European competition until registration reopens for the knockout phase.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was also involved in training on Monday, despite a report in the Daily Mail saying the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder had trained alone on Sunday.

The Manchester Evening News has since reported that Mkhitaryan had trained alone out of choice after missing out on a place in the squad for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Burnley and that he hopes to convince Mourinho to bring him back into the side.