Manchester United are back in European action tonight as they welcome St. Etienne to Old Trafford as they begin a hectic few weeks in all competitions.

Whilst many clubs, having been knocked out of various competitions, prepare for a mid-season break with trips to Dubai and Spain for some warm weather training, Jose Mourinho is preparing his side for a run of four games in just eleven days.

The Red Devils face Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, sandwiched between to Europa League ties, before travelling to Wembley Stadium for the EFL Cup final against Southampton, who are out of both Europe and the FA Cup, a week later.

With such a packed schedule ahead, Mourinho will be forced into a number of changes to keep his side fresh as he looks to progress on all fronts before looking to take home the first major trophy of his United tenure against the Saints.

Having been exiled from the squad in the earlier stages of the season retired Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger looks to be pulled back in from the cold for some of the Cup fixtures United have to contend with.

Whilst his best days are certainly behind him, the World Cup winner, who also has a Champions League winners medal to his name, can be a key man for Mourinho in the back end of the season.

The former Chelsea manager has now settled on a midfield in the Premier League which has seen them go unbeaten since a 4-0 hammering at his old stomping ground in October. However, should they make it through to the latter stages of both the FA Cup and Europa League, which you would expect them to do given their opposition, Mourinho will need others to call on to ensure that his preferred Premier League eleven are raring to go week-in, week-out.

With his experience and knowhow in Europe and at the top level, the former Bayern Munich man can become a constant for Mourinho on the continent. Where the side will largely be made up of young fringe players keen to impress, the German can bring a level of class and calm to the side and could be crucial in taking his side all the way.

While it is not a tournament that a club like United will not want to be involved in, as they have admitted, the Europa League presents somewhat of a get out of jail card for Mourinho should they fail to finish in the top four. The Champions League spot on offer for the winners means that the further his side get through the knockout stages, the more of a priority it will become and, whilst it won’t usurp the Premier League in Mourinho’s mind, he will need tried and tested players he can trust to ensure a certain level of performance, in Scheweinsteiger, he certainly has that.