Ilkay Gundogan hit out at Manchester United for their treatment of his former Germany teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Schweinsteiger was not part of Jose Mourinho's Europa League plans but was added in the Red Devils' Premier League squad. However, the 32-year-old has not made a single apperance so far in the ongoing season.
The midfielder, after arriving at Old Trafford for the 2015/16 season, made 13 league appearances under former manager Louis Van Gaal but had a long lay-off due to recurring knee injuries.
Despite being deprived the opportunity to train with the first team, Schweinsteiger had reportedly refused to listen to offers during the summer transfer window. Mourinho, while maintaining he respected the former Germany international's decision to stay with the club, had said it would be difficult to fit him into the team.
Also, United have reportedly not included Schweinsteiger as an asset in their latest published accounts as to avoid giving a negative impression to investors.
"If everything you hear and read is true, you can consider it disrespectful. He is not just some player, and also not only 18 or 19," Gundogan was quoted as saying by ESPN.
"I believe that Manchester United could 100 percent benefit from a fit Bastian Schweinsteiger."
Gundogan, who has scored a goal in his two league appearances for Manchester City so far, is steadily becoming one of Pep Guardiola's trusted men. The 25-year-old is also expected to replace Schweinsteiger, who retired from international football in August, in the German senior team.
"I trusted myself to do that before [Schweinsteiger's retirement], but this has nothing to do with saying his retirement is positive or negative," the City star added.
