Manchester United outcast Bastian Schweinsteiger has issued a message declaring that he will not join another European club and is ready to fight for his position.
The German midfielder, who has reportedly failed to feature in Jose Mourinho’s plans at the Old Trafford outfit, has not been involved in any of Man Utd’s pre-season and competitive games so far this season.
The Man Utd boss has faced severe criticism for his treatment of Schweinsteiger but the 32-year-old has now revealed that he is ready to play if the manager provides him the opportunity.
A brief message to the amazing fans about my current situation. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Rf3jLKNwK4
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) August 24, 2016
Schweinsteiger tweeted: “MUFC will be my last club in Europe. I respect other clubs. But Manchester United was the only one which could make me leave Bayern Munich.
“I will be ready, if the team needs me. This is all I can say about my current situation. I want to thanks the fans for the amazing support over the last few weeks.”
A potential move to MLS or Chinese League now appears to be a likely destination for the former Bayern Munich star, who has two more years left on his contract with Man Utd.
Meanwhile, another Red Devils’ player who could be on the move before 31 August is England International Phil Jones.
Stoke City are hopeful of securing the signing of Man Utd defender Phil Jones by next week after Potters’ assistant manager Mark Bowen confirmed that talks have began for the transfer of the 24-year-old.
Jones, who has also reportedly attracted interest from Watford and Hull City, made only 10 league appearances last season after sustaining an ankle injury in January which ultimately ended his campaign and has also failed to feature in any of Jose Mourinho’s match day squads so far this season.
Stoke’s assistant manager Mark Bowen told Stoke Sentinel: “I remember Sam Allardyce talking about him when he broke through and said he was the new Duncan Edwards.”
“He did well as a youngster, got the big move, but it hasn’t worked out for him there. I don’t know how close we are or how far down the line it’s gone.
“I don’t know what’s gone wrong, but he’s gone from even a player Fergie [Alex Ferguson] was talking about as being someone who could have been one of the greats.
“But we have a bit of reputation for bringing players like that into this set-up and then thriving. Fingers crossed, something may happen.”
However, the Guardian claim that Jones is content to stay at Man Utd and will not join the lengthy list of players that have departed the club since Mourinho’s arrival.
Man Utd have already released midfielder Nick Powell and goalkeeper Victor Valdes after deciding not to offer new contracts to the duo.
Good luck to Paddy McNair and Donald Love, who have both completed permanent moves to Sunderland. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Nqda8k42XU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2016
Meanwhile, fellow Premier League side Sunderland, currently managed by former Man Utd boss David Moyes, have completed the double signing of Red Devils’ defensive pair Paddy McNair and Donald Love in a combined £5.5 million transfer deal.
The Black Cats have also signed Man Utd winger Adnan Januzaj on a season-long loan deal. The Belgian International flourished under Moyes’ ill-fated tenure at Old Trafford but has since failed to establish himself as a regular starter.
Jose Mourinho has continued to send several Man Utd youth academy graduates on loan deals for them to acquire valuable first team action including young striker James Wilson and defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has joined Wolves on a season-long loan deal. Good luck, Cam! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/lzxGBlOLRa
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 22, 2016
Wilson, 20, has signed for Derby County, while Borthwick-Jackson, 19, has joined Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers for the rest of the 2016/17 season.
Although, English defender Tyler Blackett has left Man Utd and joined Reading on a permanent transfer. The 22-year-old has penned down a three-year contract with the Royals and will play under Man Utd legend and former defender Jaap Stam.
Meanwhile, Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson has claimed that England and Man Utd captain Wayne Rooney would be a ‘great signing’ for Major League Soccer.
“I would argue he (Rooney) still has some good football ahead of him. I think he would be a great signing for MLS – 100 percent MLS would be attractive for him,” Paulson told the Mirror.
“Keeping in mind that is a very talented footballer, who has quality football ahead of him, you are not talking about a 34 or 35-year-old.
“I get excited about the impact he would have in the MLS more than a guy who is coming in later in his career.”
Rooney’s contract with Man Utd expires in 2019 and the former Everton star has been linked with a potential move to the MLS, to join the list of high-profile players who have signed for the MLS in recent years including Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Kaka.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
