Bastian Schweinsteiger’s recent return back to train with the Manchester United squad is to ensure that the midfielder is fit enough to be offloaded in January with a move to the MLS his most likely destination.

Schweinsteiger’s United future seemed to be looking up when Jose Mourinho invited the German World Cup winner back into the first team fold at Carrington last week.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder had been made to train alone up until then after Mourinho made it abundantly clear in pre-season that he would not be part of his future plans at the club.

And, although it seemed that Schweinsteiger’s United career might be taking a dramatic U-turn, reports now suggest that his return to first team training is just an attempt to prepare him for a move away from the club in January.

Sources at Old Trafford believe that Schweinsteiger will never play for the Red Devils again even though Mourinho was hoping to try and fit him back into the setup.

Many clubs were interested in signing the Germany international in the summer but it is rumoured that, if he does depart, his most likely destination will be to Major League Soccer.

Mourinho is reportedly keen to free up his considerable £130,000-a-week wages just in case the United boss is tempted to dip back into the transfer market in January.

Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey Show all 8 1 /8 Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 00-watford-bench-0.jpg WATFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Manager Louis van Gaal and Assistant Manager Ryan Giggs of Manchester United watch from the dugout during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on November 21, 2015 in Watford, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) Man Utd via Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 01-midtjylland-0.jpg TOPSHOT - Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 32, second leg football match between Manchester United and and FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 25, 2016. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 02-arsenal-0.jpg MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on February 28 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images) Man Utd via Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 03-man-city-0.jpg MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 04-fa-cup-west-ham-0.jpg LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores their first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Sixth Round replay match between West Ham United and Manchester United at Boleyn Ground on April 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images) Man Utd via Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 05-fa-cup-winner-0.jpg LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates with the FA Cup trophy after The Emirates FA Cup final match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) Man Utd via Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 06-england-debut-0.jpg England's striker Marcus Rashford (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the International friendly football match between England and Australia at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north east England, on May 27, 2016. / AFP / PAUL ELLIS / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Marcus Rashford's Manchester United journey 07-hull-winner-0.jpg Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring their late winning goal during the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Manchester United at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on August 27, 2016. Manchester united won the game 1-0. / AFP / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images

Schweinsteiger was a key part of the United midfield last season under former boss Louis Van Gaal making 31 appearances following his £14.5million move from the German champions last summer.

Schweinsteiger is still believed to be a popular figure in the United dressing room and his return to training was welcomed positively by the majority of the squad including captain Wayne Rooney, who was pictured joking with the midfielder on the club’s official Instagram account.

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At the launch of United’s global partnership with mattress and pillow maker Mlily, Luke Shaw also spoke highly of Schweinsteiger and was happy to see him rejoin the squad last week.

“It's great to see him back,” Shaw said.

“We found out the news a couple of days ago and it's so great to have him back.