Bastian Schweinsteiger is battling to save his Manchester United career with the Germany captain facing the prospect of dropping to fifth-choice in midfield under Jose Mourinho.

The 31-year-old is yet to return to pre-season training under Mourinho after being handed an extended summer break following Germany's run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals in France earlier this month.

But when he reports back at Old Trafford later this month, the former Bayern Munich player is likely to find himself behind Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Morgan Schneiderlin in the midfield pecking order, as well as the world-class midfielder that Mourinho is pursuing - Juventus's Paul Pogba remains the priority target - before the transfer window closes on August 31.

And with Dutch international Daley Blind being deployed in a holding midfield role by Mourinho during United's pre-season friendly defeat against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday, Schweinsteiger's prospects may become even bleaker if the former Ajax player is restored to the midfield department after performing at centre-half under Louis van Gaal last season.

Schweinsteiger started just 13 Premier League games for United last term after arriving in a £5m transfer from Bayern last summer.

Despite his lofty reputation, Schweinsteiger struggled to make an impact under Van Gaal and he ended the campaign with team-mates unhappy at his contribution in the second half of the season, when his absence from the club during rehabilitation from a knee injury prompted the belief that he was being afforded special treatment by Van Gaal.

Manchester United summer transfer targets Show all 8 1 /8 Manchester United summer transfer targets Manchester United summer transfer targets Ivan Perisic, Inter Milan United want to spend £35m on Perisic but Inter are holding out for closer to £50m. That said, Mourinho is a big fan and may be willing to go the extra mile to get him. Likelihood: 7/10 Getty Manchester United summer transfer targets Renato Sanches - Bayern Munich Sanches was being chased by United before deciding on Bayern Munich last summer but is back on their radar again 12 months later. He is available for £43m and Ancelotti has admitted United are "a possibility". Getty Manchester United summer transfer targets Fabinho - Monaco An extremely versatile player Mourinho sees him more as a defensive midfielder and could be used to give Paul Pogba, last summer's big addition, more freedom. Monaco aren't in any rush to lose any more first team stars this summer though and are likely to demand a hefty fee. Likelihood: 7/10 AFP/Getty Images Manchester United summer transfer targets Eric Dier - Tottenham United have already had a bid less than £25m rejected for the defensive midfielder and know they must more than double it to have any hope of signing Dier, who is understood to want the move. Getty Manchester United summer transfer targets Nemanja Matic - Chelsea Nemanja Matic has twice worked under Jose Mourinho before and he wants to make it a third time at United. However, after beating Chelsea to Romelu Lukaku, relations between the two clubs have been soured somewhat. Getty Manchester United summer transfer targets Gareth Bale - Real Madrid The Real Madrid forward would be a marquee signing, the type that the Manchester United boardroom are keen to make, and The Independent has been told by sources from both United and Madrid that a deal is 'much likelier' than ever before. The player himself though is happy in the Spanish capital. Likelihood: 5/10 Getty Manchester United summer transfer targets Willian - Chelsea Mourinho is a huge admirer of Willian, who he signed in 2013 while at Chelsea. The pair won a Premier League title and League Cup double together the following year and it is believed that the United manager will do his best to sign the player, who has not been a regular starter in Antonio Conte’s system. Whether Chelsea will allow him to leave, particularly to join Mourinho at their rivals is yet to be seen. Likelihood: 4/10 Getty Manchester United summer transfer targets Andrea Belotti - Torino Another of Europe’s most promising players, Belotti is fast becoming well-known after his outstanding performances at Torino, where he has scored 37 goals in 64 appearances since 2015. His best years are still ahead of him aged just 23, which contributes to the incredible €100m release clause, applicable only to clubs outside of Italy, negotiated into his contract. Torino are in no hurry to sell and will drive a hard bargain with any deal likely to start at upwards of £70m. Likelihood: 7/10 Getty

His lack of mobility was also regarded as an issue within the club and, with Mourinho determined to boost the fitness and athleticism of his squad, Schweinsteiger faces a crucial period when he returns to United in order to persuade the new manager that he can make a significant contribution this season.

The World Cup winner is not the only player needing to convince Mourinho of his value to the club, however.

Holland winger Memphis Depay, Argentine defender Marcos Rojo, Belgian winger Adnan Januzaj and Juan Mata, sold by Mourinho at Chelsea, all have points to prove to the new manager.

Mark Ogden: Man Utd confident of Pogba deal

And while the Portuguese has been an admirer of Phil Jones, the defender has to convince the manager of his ability to remain fit enough to challenge for a place at centre-half alongside Chris Smalling and summer signing Eric Bailly.

Rojo's inconsistency and concentration levels proved a concern for Van Gaal and his coaching team and the former Sporting Lisbon defender did little to banish those questions marks during an erratic substitute performance during the 4-1 defeat against Dortmund.

Depay was withdrawn at half-time after a poor first-half display against the Germans and the £25m signing from PSV Eindhoven has yet to persuade Mourinho of his potential, with Januzaj also needing to offer more evidence of talent to the former Chelsea manager.

Mourinho has moved to reassure Mata that he will be in his plans at United having sanctioned his £37.1m move to Old Trafford from Chelsea in January 2014, but the Spaniard's prospects have been affected by the £26.3m arrival of Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with Mourinho also preparing to use captain Wayne Rooney in the number 10 role favoured by Mata.