Man United have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, as reported by Sky Sports, and it is another masterstroke from boss Louis Van Gaal.
The Dutch tactician has identified where he needs to strengthen his squad this summer, and he has made three astute moves in bringing in Italian full-back Matteo Darmian, Dutch winger Memphis Depay and Schweinsteiger so far.
Schweinsteiger, 30, won eight Bundesliga titles and seven domestic cups during his time in Bavaria, while he conquered the world with the German national team last year too.
Not only is he a reliable presence that can help form the core of a side in his deep-lying midfield position, but his leadership skills and winning mentality will undoubtedly be significant influences on United next season.
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A chance to enjoy a new adventure will likely reinvigorate the former Bayern man, and a reunion with Van Gaal, with whom he won the double during their time in Munich, will also be a motivating factor in leading a new era in Manchester.
Injuries problems prevented Schweinsteiger from enjoying a full season last year, but in just 26 appearances in all competitions, he was able to score five goals as well as produce eight assists as the German giants continued to dominate.
All the attributes mentioned above make him the perfect signing for United, with Van Gaal hoping for an immediate impact, which will in turn allow them to compete for a Premier League title and enjoy a respectable return to Europe’s top table.
The Premier League side are still interested in adding Morgan Schneiderlin, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, but if the Frenchman doesn’t arrive, United fans should sleep easy in the knowledge that they have already recruited exactly what they need.
Schneiderlin represents the younger option and would arguably have been the better investment in the long-term, but the statistics tell a story of their own in that he wasn’t as influential as Schweinsteiger last season, with only five goals and just one assist.
Statistics aside, Schweinsteiger brings more to a team than Schneiderlin as a whole, and having that experience of performing at the top level and being successful is precisely what United need at this stage of their redevelopment.
While the Southampton man starred last season, making the step up to playing for a club like United can be a daunting task, whereas Schweinsteiger brings pedigree with him and will be an instant hit for sure.
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