Bastian Schweinsteiger angered Manchester United teammates with off-field behaviour

Manchester United players reportedly had to warn Bastian Schweinsteiger to stop watching tennis and focus on getting fit when he was out injured last season. The 32-year-old midfielder has been told he can leave Old Trafford this summer – and it appears his problems can be traced back to last season.

Schweinsteiger was United's stand-out signing in the last year of Louis van Gaal's tenure. The German endured an injury-hit first season in the Premier League and was warned by senior United players against following his now-wife, tennis star Ana Ivanovic, around the world while he was recovering.

The United players were angered by pictures of Schweinsteiger supporting Ivanovic in Miami while the club were trying to achieve a top-four finish during the 2016-17 campaign, according to the Daily Mail. The images are also said to have influenced Jose Mourinho's decision to ostracise the German at United.

Mourinho reportedly decided that Schweinsteiger had no future with United before he arrived at Old Trafford. And since Schweinsteiger returned to the club this summer, he has been told to train with United's under-23 side.

Schweinsteiger addressed his situation at United in a statement posted on Twitter on Wednesday (24 August). "MUFC will be my last club in Europe. I respect other clubs, but Manchester United was the only one which could make me leave Bayern Munich. I will be ready, if the team needs me," he said.

"This is all I can say about my current situation. I want to thank the fans for their amazing support over the recent weeks."