José Mourinho criticised for treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger

Manchester United manager José Mourinho has come in for criticism over his treatment of midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German international hasn’t featured at all in United’s pre-season campaign, and has instead been forced to take up residence with the reserve team until a buyer is found. He may be one of his generation’s top midfielders, but Schweinsteiger certainly isn’t being treated with much reverence.

Sky Sports have spoken to two members of the world football players' union, FIFpro, and both have been understandably unhappy with recent ongoings. Raymond Baard said:

“Schweinsteiger has been put in a situation where Manchester United are trying to force him to move on and leave the club. He was hired for a particular job, let him train with the first team. It doesn't set a good example for other clubs around the world.”

Meanwhile, Slovenian lawyer Dejan Stefanović was even harsher in his criticism:

“It's clear bullying. In Slovenia, we would have indicted Mourinho and asked for the highest penalty - three years in prison [...] Schweinsteiger should turn to the Professional Footballers' Association and he should file a complaint and I would also seek penalty for Mourinho.

“All the players of the first team have to train with the coaches of the first team at the same place, at the same time as all other team-mates. That's something that should be applied to each and every club and should be written within FIFA regulations.”

Though prison may well be a little over the top, Mourinho’s treatment of Schweinsteiger has been rather unimpressive. However, as a coach who has earned great success not in spite of his ruthlessness, but because of it, we shouldn’t exactly be surprised.