Bastian Schweinsteiger has opened up about the brutal treatment he received from Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

The German legend, 39, signed for United in 2015 after 13 successful years with Bayern Munich. He was initially a part of Louis van Gaal’s plans, who he worked under at Bayern.

But Schweinsteiger’s second season immediately turned into a miserable one once Mourinho was brought in, failing to make a single Premier League appearance before leaving in March 2017. And the retired World Cup winner has now lifted the lid on how the Portuguese boss - and United’s hierarchy - shunned the midfielder by making him train with the U16s.

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Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap via Sky Bet, he said: "It was 2016 and I was with the German national team, we went far in the competition [Euros] reaching the semi-finals, so I stepped in a little later [at Manchester United] and the team were in the US for a pre-season tour. When I arrived on the first day, I trained with and thought it was great, a player who has the vision and is amazing to play with.

“The next day, on my birthday, when I walked into Carrington [training ground], John Murtough was there and said that I wasn’t allowed to walk into the dressing room, the coach had said so. No warning, nothing."

Schweinsteiger did not understand why he was exiled at the time
Schweinsteiger did not understand why he was exiled at the time
21 October 2017 Huddersfield: Premier League Football: Huddersfield Town v Manchester United: United manager Jose Mourinho. (Photo by Mark Leech/Getty Images)
The German had a torrid time under Jose Mourinho [pictured]

He explained how he sought permission to speak to Mourinho to find out why he was being treated so harshly. ‘The Special One’ responded by saying he "didn’t see the player happy".

Schweinsteiger revealed how his team-mates could not understand the decision, saying his “heart was broken” due to his love for the club. And while Mourinho did later apologise for his bizarre actions, the story left United legend Neville open-mouthed.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 08: Bastian Schweinsteiger of Manchester United looks dejected after Wolfsburg scored during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between VfL Wolfsburg and Manchester United FC at Volkswagen Arena on December 8, 2015 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Schweinsteiger was "heartbroken"
Gary Neville called Mourinho's treatment of the player "illegal"
Gary Neville called Mourinho's treatment of the player "illegal"

The ex-United right-back and pundit said he was "stunned and embarrassed" as he explained: "That’s illegal [treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger]. I was the PFA Union Representative, and you’re not allowed to do that, you can’t dismiss someone like that, it’s constructive dismissal in some ways."

Schweinsteiger made a total of 35 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring twice in all competitions. He went on to play for Chicago Fire for three more seasons before calling time on a glittering career.