Mourinho offers Man U lifeline to Schweinsteiger

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger could stay at the Old Trafford beyond January transfer window because he has the contract with the club which makes him a 'powerful one'.

The German international had been linked with a move away from United in the new year after failing to make any appearance under new manager Mourinho.

However, Schweinsteiger recently made his first appearance for United since March when he came on as a late substitute during his side's impressive EFL Cup 4-1 win over West Ham United.

His return came following the one-match suspensions of two fellow midfielders, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba.

And now the Portuguese manager has confirmed he may keep the 32-year-old on board for the remainder of the campaign.

"Of course he can [stay].In the summer we tried to make something happen for Bastian to get a different future. If you have a contract with the club you are the powerful one that can decide your future. He decided to stay even in difficult circumstances. He worked for that and deserved that little happiness of the last month," goal.com quoted Mourinho as saying.

Mourinho also praised Schweinsteiger's attitude to winning a place in his United squad, saying he likes people with determination.

"He understands our dynamics, philosophy and you can see the happiness he showed the other day is from somebody who is so happy and so proud with his efforts and his determination. I like people with determination," the former Chelsea manager said of Schweinsteiger, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2018.

Mourinho's comments came ahead of his side's Premier League clash against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.