As Manchester United's players were busy preparing for their Premier League match against Southampton, frozen out midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was on the golf course.

Paul Pogba is set to take centre stage at Old Trafford on Friday night unlike Schweinsteiger, whose time at the club is running out.

The World Cup winner has been told by manager Jose Mourinho that he isn't part of his plans and is free to leave.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was pictured playing golf in Cheshire on Thursday

The United midfielder has been told by Jose Mourinho that he has no future at Old Trafford

One year ago he was very much part of Louis van Gaal's thoughts after arriving from Bayern Munich for £15million but on Thursday he was pictured on a golf course in Cheshire with none of his team-mates in sight.

Earlier this month the 32-year-old was instructed to move from the first-team dressing room at United's Carrington training ground to where the Under 21s change.

Mourinho has since been informed him that he can train with United's kids to get fit before moving on but can't be part of any first-team training.

He has been told that he is free to leave the club before the transfer window closes

The midfielder's situation at United became a even more difficult when his brother, Tobi, tweeted: 'No respect.'

Sportsmail has been told by a source in Germany that the player's ego has been bruised and has confidence damaged.

Mourinho didn't mention Schweinsteiger in his press conference on Thursday, choosing instead to focus on Pogba, who is expected to start against Claude Puel's side.

Mourinho didn't speak about Schweinsteiger as he gave his pre-match press conference

'Paul has been training for more than a week, 10 or 11 days, we played against Leicester (in the Community Shield) with some players who had less training than that,' he said.

'They weren't on top of their game, not ready for 90 minutes, but they played and performed. And it was a good way for them to accelerate the process of building up form.

Paul Pogba (pictured in training on Thursday) is expected to start against Southampton

'I think he (Pogba) is ready to play. For 90 minutes, I don't believe. A super performance, I don't believe. But to accelerate his integration in the team, for sure.