Jose Mourinho has confirmed Bastian Schweinsteiger will stay at Manchester United beyond the January transfer window.
The German will also be added to the club’s Europa League squad for the knockout stages of the competition, after impressing Mourinho in Sunday night’s FA Cup tie against Wigan.
The 32-year-old made his first start in over a year in the fourth round clash and returned with a stunning goal in United’s 4-0 win over the Championship outfit.
“Yes, he’s staying, he’s going to the Europa League because we have opened spaces with [Memphis] Depay and [Morgan] Schneiderlin,” said Mourinho.
“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, I think from minute 65/70 it was a bit difficult.”
The Portuguese praised Schweinsteiger’s professionalism while he waited for his first-team return, adding that he is likely to feature more for the Red Devils due to their fixture congestion.
Marouane Fellaini put United ahead a minute shy of the break at Old Trafford on Sunday before second-half goals from Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Schweinsteiger eased the Premier League side into the FA Cup fifth round.
Mourinho claimed his side were fortunate to take the lead against Wigan, but were worthy winners in the end.
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