Liverpool midfielder Emre Can has hit out at Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho over his treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Can played alongside Schweinsteiger at Bayern Munich and is bemused and frustrated by the 32-year-old's ostracism at Old Trafford.
Schweinsteiger returned to first-team training at United this week but Mourinho hinted that it was just to keep him physically fit before he moves club, suggesting that nothing has changed regarding potential opportunities at Old Trafford.
Emre Can on Man United's treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger: "I think they don't have too much respect for him." https://t.co/5ZgiLAW63y pic.twitter.com/mFc8LyfYJ5
I know Schweinsteiger very well and I used to play with him,� Can said.
He's a very good guy and he's a legend. I don't know what happened there but I think they don't have too much respect for him.
It's a pity because he's a very good guy. He's always somebody who worked hard and is always a gentleman.
When I first came up to the first team (at Bayern Munich) he was the first one who came to me and said: 'If you need something come to me'.
Emre Can will soon sign a new 5 year deal with Liverpool. #LFC pic.twitter.com/1Xdg74np39
That was a big help. I was very thankful for that and it's something I'll never forget.�
Schweinsteiger was signed by Louis van Gaal for a cut-price of £13m but struggled with his transition to Premier League football because of fitness issues. He has not featured at all under Mourinho this season and is clearly not in the former Chelsea manager's plans, despite the player's pedigree and experience.
The 2014 World Cup winner is now being linked with a move to Everton.