Mourinho will not select Schneiderlin or Depay

Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay will not be considered for selection as they edge closer to leaving Manchester United, manager Jose Mourinho has said.

Schneiderlin is reported to have attracted interest from up to five clubs with Everton one of those linked with a move for the France midfielder, who has not played for United for almost two months.

Depay, meanwhile, has also been linked with Everton but the Toffees are understood to want to sign the midfielder on loan with an option to buy, something United are not keen on.

Both players have been told they are free to leave Old Trafford and Mourinho has confirmed neither will be selected for the time being.

"I will allow them to leave if the right offer comes," Mourinho told reporters on Friday.

"I don't think about them as options. Normally they would be selected tomorrow but they aren't.

"A couple of weeks ago I thought it was 100% they would go, now 0% (because no bid good enough)."

Bastian Schweinsteiger had been expected to leave the club after falling out of favour during Mourinho's first few months in charge but he has been included in the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Reading.

While he is prepared to sell the former Germany international, Mourinho admits he could get some more game time during a busy month for the club.

“He is selected again. So he can start or he can be on the bench. He is an option for us. That’s the best way to describe it. For many months he wasn’t," Mourinho explained.

“When we brought him back for the first couple of weeks he wasn’t ready but since then he’s worked very well. He was ill last week but never an injury. His body is fine and he’s training very well.

“My approach is if a player is not playing I cannot stop him leaving if the offer is right. Bastian played some minutes against West Ham and no more than that.

“He wants to stay and he is staying and he is an option. He’s selected tomorrow and at Crystal Palace - for three or four matches.

“He is waiting for his opportunity to play. I think January is a good month for that with so many matches.”

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