With Bastian Schweinsteiger frozen out of the Manchester United first team picture ahead of the new season, manager Jose Mourinho has stood by his decision to make the experienced German train alone or with the under-23s.
Speaking to the press amid criticism of his treatment of the World Cup-winning former Bayern Munich player, Mourinho was firm.
"I normally like to work with 20 players plus the three goalkeepers which is what I do for 15 years. Because we have so many players but at the same time because we have so many competitions and especially the Europa League competition and I have to make my decisions. Simple!"
Mourinho has also dropped another hint that Paul Pogba is about to return to Old Trafford.
The Juventus midfielder is being heavily linked with a move to the Premier League side.
Mourinho says any new arrivals are likely to be confirmed soon.
"Pogba is a Juventus player until officially he isn't. The market closes on the 31st of August but I think my club is trying to do everything to close our market before the 14th of August," he said.
Mourinho also appeared to hit out at Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after both were critical of the financial scale of the proposed Pogba to United deal.
"I heard two of my colleagues from other clubs already speaking about us. I do not like that. It is not ethical. There are things that when I do are not ethical and when others do it everything is normal and nobody says that. I do not speak about the others. They can do what they want."
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