Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed on Friday that he has given Morgan Schneiderlin approval to leave Old Trafford, with West Bromwich Albion already tabling a £13m bid.

The Dutch midfielder has started only four games all season but none in the Premier League and Mourinho revealed that the player has opened his heart to him, asked to leave – and that he will not stand in his way.

“Yes [he has told me he wants to leave],” Mourinho said. “He is great professional, a fantastic boy; very honest, very open. He has opened his heart a couple of times. My answer is simple. If he is playing regular with me I have the right to say ‘no way.’ If not, I have no right to say ‘you are going nowhere.’ So my answer was to offer him his right.”

Mourinho said West Brom manager Tony Pulis’ bid was “a good offer. In relation to a very good player like Morgan I would not stop him from going.”

Mourinho attacked the Premier League fixture scheduling, implying that the fixture schedulers were deliberately handing his former club Chelsea an advantage over his own club who must play three games in eight days. Antonio Conte’s side have three in ten days. United face Sunderland and Middlesbrough at home, then travel to West Ham on 2 January.

Manchester United transfer targets Show all 6 1 /6 Manchester United transfer targets Manchester United transfer targets Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) The 21-year-old Uruguayan has already played 21 times for his country and has been touted as a future world-class centre-back. Currently on the books of Atletico Madrid, Gimenez is not a regular and a move in January for first-team football would surely appeal to him. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Victor Lindelof (Benfica) The most recent player to be linked with the Red Devils, Lindelof is a 22-year-old centre-back currently plying his trade at Benfica. The Swedish international has been in fine form this season and could be tempted by a move to England in January. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Mesut Özil (Arsenal) The German midfielder has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Red Devils as the Arsenal playmaker demands a substantial increase to his current £140,000 per week contract in North London. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) The French forward had a brilliant season in Spain last year and was top scorer and Player of the Tournament as he helped his country to the final of Euro 2016. Atletico Madrid would certainly not let him go on the cheap however. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid) The third Atletico Madrid player reported to be on Mourinho’s wish-list, Carrasco is one of Belgium’s new generation of talent and, at just 23 years of age, has a long career ahead of him. The Belgian is an attacking midfielder who has added a ruthlessness in front of goal to his repertoire this season, contributing nine goals in all competitions. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Bruma (Galatasaray) Galatasaray’s fleet-footed winger is rated at around £21.5m and has impressed in the Turkish league this season, receiving five Man of the Match awards in just ten starts so far. Bruma is a fantastic dribbler who would certainly provide competition for places on the left wing. Getty

Mourinho said: “The busy period is for some clubs, not for everyone. If you analyse clubs… the fixtures are chosen to give rest for some and to create problems to others. But we are used to it because we are in Europa League and the Europa League is a competition that creates more difficulties – Southampton know that, Tottenham will.

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