Bastian Schweinsteiger Returns to Manchester United Training After Exit Rumours

The Bastian Schweinsteiger transfer saga took a dramatic turn on Monday, as the veteran midfielder returned to training with the Red Devils for the first time in months.

Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News first reported the news:

The club later shared a series of photos via their official Twitter account, one of which shows the former Bayern Munich man in training:

As reported by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News (via the Daily Mirror), Schweinsteiger was forced to train with the reserves at the start of the season, as United made it clear they wished to sell the 32-year-old. He has yet to feature for the club this season.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for some time, and there have been plenty of outlets hinting MLS could be a destination, such as Eurosport (h/t the Daily Star's Rhys Turrell).

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

United's refusal to let him train with the senior squad was thought to be a clear sign to the former Germany international that he should find a new club. On Sunday, Steve Bates of the Sunday People even reported manager Jose Mourinho had banned Schweinsteiger from playing for United's under-23 team (h/t the Sunday Mirror).

It seems that reported decision may have been made with a different objective―perhaps Mourinho is contemplating giving Schweinsteiger another chance to stabilise his midfield.

Unsurprisingly, social media had a field day when the news first broke. Tom Coast of Sport Witness couldn't help himself:

United haven't won a Premier League match since September and could use some veteran leadership and experience to bolster a midfield that has struggled to start the 2016-17 campaign. Summer signing Paul Pogba is still adapting to the Premier League, and Mourinho has yet to figure out which player would be best alongside him.

Schweinsteiger hasn't featured for the club since March, and without any match rhythm, he's doubtful to play anytime soon. But the fact he's back in training indicates Mourinho is at least thinking about using the former Bayern man, which is a positive sign for his fans and supporters of the club.