Bastian Schweinsteiger's Tennis Focus Reportedly Angers Manchester United Stars

Bastian Schweinsteiger was reportedly confronted by a number of "furious" Manchester United team-mates last season for attending too many of wife Ana Ivanovic's tennis tournaments rather than concentrating on his fitness.

According to Mike Keegan and Chris Wheeler for the Daily Mail, several senior star players told him "in no uncertain terms" that he ought to focus on returning from injury in Manchester instead of watching Ivanovic around the world.

The German was seen supporting his wife at the Miami Open and the Madrid Open in the final months of the season as United tried and failed to secure UEFA Champions League football, which he was informed was "sending out the wrong messages to the club’s youngsters and its fans."

New manager Jose Mourinho was similarly unimpressed, and the 32-year-old has consequently been "frozen out" of the first team and told he does not feature in the Special One's plans.

Schweinsteiger took to social media on Wednesday to explain he will not remain in Europe if he does leave United:

His message has proved somewhat divisive. Like Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News, many praised Schweinsteiger:

However, Samuel Luckhurst of the same publication and the Sun's Neil Custis were more critical:

As Keegan and Wheeler noted, the two most likely destinations for the former Germany captain are the Chinese Super League and MLS, though their transfer windows are shut until January and February respectively—but he could move to the latter if he terminates his contract with United by September 15.

United signed Paul Pogba this summer, and Marouane Fellaini has been a surprise starter alongside him and shown an upturn in form.

Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Daley Blind—when he's not filling in at centre-back—will also compete for places, so Schweinsteiger may struggle to force his way back into the side.

Football writer Liam Canning believes the German may yet have a future at Old Trafford, though:

Indeed, while he may not be as fit as he once was, Schweinsteiger has been one of the continent's best midfielders over the last decade—moving him on might help Mourinho stamp his authority on the squad, but he remains a useful asset to have around.

After signing Pogba, the club could probably afford to let him leave and never look back, but if he's given the chance to prove his usefulness, he could do a job.