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Is Jose Mourinho now giving Bastian Schweinsteiger another shot?

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:33 p.m. ET

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Thomas Hautmann

Bastian Schweinsteiger is back practicing with Manchester United’s first team.

Just this weekend, Schweinsteiger was reportedly blocked by Jose Mourinho from suiting up for the Red Devils’ reserves team, strengthening the belief that the German had no hope of ever getting a second chance at Old Trafford. But Monday’s revelation paints a quite different picture.

Is Mourinho suddenly open to the idea of adding Schweinsteiger back into the mix?

Preventing Schweinsteiger from playing for the reserves could now mean that Mourinho has finally pardoned the 32-year-old and is willing to give him another shot. United certainly do need a spark to get back on track in the Premier League. They’ve won just one of their last five games and dropped to 8th place in the league, and Mourinho is still searching for the right partner in midfield to pair with Paul Pogba.

Could that be Schweinsteiger? It's probably too early to go that far, but while Mourinho didn't include him United's Europa League roster at the start of the season, Schweinsteiger is still eligible to play in the Premier League.

There's reasonable doubt that Schweinsteiger has the legs left to get the job done in the physically demanding EPL. But for months, Schweinsteiger has reportedly put in 90-minute daily shifts with a personal trainer at United's training grounds and doing additional nightly workouts at his home, trying to get himself back into top shape after an injury ravaged, disappointing first campaign with the Red Devils.

There's also no doubt that the 2014 World Cup winner would bring some much needed leadership into the squad, and though he's no longer in his prime, Schweinsteiger should still have plenty of football left at 32. Voices from the outside to bring Schweinsteiger back into the fold have only increased during United's recent struggles, and you'd find few people who would argue that Marouane Fellaini is doing the job.

Of course, Mourinho could just simply be reminding teams that Schweinsteiger still exists with the goal of getting rid of him in the January transfer window. But throughout this ordeal, Schweinsteiger has bit his tongue and supported his teammates despite being completely ostracized. He's only had one goal since Mourinho made him clear out his locker in August – stay ready for whenever the team ends up needing him.

That time may have come now after all.

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