Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (middle) talks to reporters during the team's recent China visit. (Photo : Getty Images)
New Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho had seemingly confirmed the exits of midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Adnan Januzaj from the Old Trafford next season after talking to reporters during the team's recent 5-2 win over Galatasaray at the Nya Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday.
The 53-year-old Portuguese mentor did not field in the abovementioned two players during their friendly victory over the Turkish side and then announced that those who are "not selected would not be part of the first-team", as per The Sun.
"If they were not in my plans I would not give them one single minute, I would not keep them in my squad," Mourinho disclosed during a press interview after the said match. "The squad is very competitive, the squad is very important for the season."
"We have 38 matches in the Premier League, we have the possibility of 15 matches in the Europa League, plus domestic cups, we are going to play 60 matches. So with 60 matches we cannot do it with 11 players," he added.
The 31-year-old Schweinsteiger was acquired by the Red Devils last summer from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for a fee of €9 million.
Schweinsteiger initially became an integral part of former United manager Louis van Gaal's first squad, but eventually dropped down to the pecking order after recurring injuries and poor performances late in the season, as per Caught Offside.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Januzaj began his senior career with the Old Trafford residents in 2012, also coming from the club's youth academy since 2011 when he was only 16 years old. He was not part of United's first team during his debut season but appeared in 27 games during his second term with the squad in 2013-2014, scoring four goals in the process and creating much impact.
However, van Gaal loaned him to another Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund, for a season-long deal in August of last term, but was recalled in January after 12 scoreless games with the Borussians.
The recent signing of Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan may have put both Schweinsteiger and Januzaj as surplus to the Special One's requirements at the Old Trafford next season.
