The German midfielder has been frozen out of the picture under Jose Mourinho, but has been pictured training alongside the Red Devils' senior stars

Bastian Schweinsteiger has endured a difficult period at Manchester United since Jose Mourinho inherited the managerial reins, with the Portuguese coach having completely overlooked the Germany international.

The 32-year-old midfielder was made aware early on that he played no part in the Red Devils’ long-term plans, while his absence from the club’s official team photo and reported barring from reserve team outings fuelled further talk of an impending exit.

RUMOURS: Milan target Schweini

Has there, however, been a remarkable thawing of relations, with Mourinho offering an unexpected olive branch to the World Cup winner?

Well, if these images from United’s training session on Monday are anything to go by, then Schweinsteiger is certainly part of the first-team fold.

It is, of course, one thing to be pictured alongside Wayne Rooney at Carrington and another thing entirely to be thrust back into action at Old Trafford.

Mourinho is, however, in need of inspiration from somewhere – having seen his side go four games without a Premier League win – and it may be that someone with Schweinsteiger’s vast experience has a role to play over the coming weeks.