Player Focus: Is Schneiderlin the Player United Need to Win the Premier League?
For some Manchester United fans, the last few weeks have been spent dusting down the welcome home banners meant for Bastian Schweinsteiger. The banners that have been ready for what seems like an eternity, for a player that has become a big deal in parts of Old Trafford, despite only ever being an opponent. Why the hysteria this time around? Because Louis van Gaal had been hoping to reunite with the German this summer. However, in keeping with emerging reports, those banners can reluctantly be put back into storage, as United change course and join the race to sign Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
The news isn’t likely to sit well with some United fans. Understandably, opting for a player that has only established himself at Southampton over a player that has won the World Cup, the Champions League and eight Bundesliga titles would not immediately seem like shrewd business. However on this occasion, it might just be that.
In contrast to last summer it would seem fair to assume that Schneiderlin has already played his last game for Southampton. The France international has been the bedrock of the club’s rise from League One to the Premier League for the last seven years and now has his sights set firmly on Champions League football. His thirst for Uefa’s elite competition would seemingly rule Spurs out of the running, leaving just United and Arsenal in a straight shoot-out for his signature.
Arsenal had been in pole position to sign the Frenchman earlier in the year – after failing in their attempts 12 months ago – but saw their pursuit subside following the sudden emergence of Francis Coquelin and now must fend off the allure of United if they are to land the 25-year-old.
For United, it must simply come down to a matter of needs must: the style of Schweinsteiger or the efficiency of Schneiderlin. Sir Alex Ferguson tried and failed in signing Schweinsteiger on a number of occasions during his United tenure, but Van Gaal had hoped to use his close bond to the player - from their time together at Bayern - to barter a deal.
In one sense, the arrival of Schweinsteiger would make a lot of sense for United. Looking beyond his obvious star quality, the 30-year-old would also bring a wealth of Champions League experience, which Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera – current occupiers of central midfield – are not blessed with.
Having secured Champions League football back at Old Trafford in his first season, Van Gaal will be looking to progress as far as possible in the competition in his second. Nonetheless, two central midfielders that are not used to the evolving nature of the Champions League could hamper any realistic ambitions for the club and it is unsurprising the Dutchman has flirted with the idea of reconvening with Schweinsteiger, particularly at a cost of less than £10m.
United fans with an eye on the future might turn their nose up at the idea of signing a player that will soon be approaching his twilight. However, last season’s performances suggest that the German still has plenty to offer in a measured and strategic system in place at United that would suit him perfectly. The German midfielder averaged more than 87 passes every 90 minutes in the Bundesliga last season, 13 more than Herrera managed for United in the Premier League. Even against harder opposition in Europe, he was still able to make more than 83 passes per 90 mins, again far superior to anything United’s midfielders could muster the last time they took part in European competition two years ago.
The Bayern midfielder would certainly bring a calming influence to the United midfield as well as precision going forward. Having already worked under Van Gaal in the past, United would also benefit from a player that can slot straight into proceedings. For United fans, this would be the glamour signing.
However, if United were to look beyond this, which they appear to have done, then Schneiderlin could prove the signing that gives Van Gaal the foundations to build a side that can perform on a consistent basis.
United’s reliance on Michael Carrick shielding the back four has been relentless over the last few years. However, persistent injury problems have meant that Carrick has only started in just over half of United’s matches in the Premier League in the last two years. At 33, his injury problems aren’t likely to subside - despite the manner of his role - so a long-term replacement is a pressing concern and would offer one explanation to United’s sudden change in approach.
In terms of Schneiderlin’s class, no player in the Premier League has made more tackles and interceptions over the last three years than the 25-year-old (626). Even a player like Pablo Zabaleta, arguably one of the finest defenders in recent Premier League history, was a distant second (521).
Transitional stages proved a problem at times for United last season. Van Gaal’s men were prepared to throw plenty men forward into their attacks but were often found wanting at the back if they conceded possession – best exemplified in their 5-3 defeat to Leicester. Schneiderlin would certainly go a long way to filling that void.
This might be the best chance United have of signing Schweinsteiger with his place in Pep Guardiola’s side uncertain. However, given the question marks lingering over Carrick’s long-term fitness and the class Schneiderlin has shown in the last few years he might just be the choice that gives United the greatest chance of mounting a prolonged title tilt.
They could, of course, just buy both.
If both are available, which of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin should United sign? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
As for whether he is what they need to win the league, the short answer is not on his own. The long answer is that they need a few players they need to be a contender. Jones & Smalling did well at the back end of last season and Rojo looked decent too. Utd not long ago bid £28.6m for Sergio Ramos and while I'm not sure an attack-minded CB who is often out of position and relies on getting away with fouls to stop players is necessarily what they need against the big teams, he does have "it", the "X factor" or whatever one wants to label it that wins you games, so their CB corps is good at least. The left side of defence is also healthy with everybody fit but they need a right back, a quality goalkeeper for when De Gea joins Real & a world class striker. If all of those are bought (as well as Morgan) then Utd will most definitely contest the title. They should do for what Van Gaal will have eventually spent in only 2 seasons.
Schweinsteiger is obviously a far better player, in fact he has been the most underrated central midfielder of the last 10 years because much of what he does is either missed by TV cameras or is only noticed when he isn't playing, so if Utd can get him then they should. I really don't see him leaving Bayern though. Schneiderlin looks almost certain to be a Utd player next year and is good in his own right- he can pass, tackle, is composed and rarely wanders out of position when told he has to be more defensive. He will be a good addition to Utd's squad but they will have at least 1, probably 2, unhappy central midfielder(s) with Blind, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini and potentially Schneiderlin in first team contention and all deserving of the start. Mata is their only real #10, Herrera their best passer, Blind was solid for the majority of last season and Fellaini was amazing in the 2nd half of the season. Schneiderlin wont swap Soton to sit on the bench, so LvG has a problem.
Schneiderlin is just what we need due to age, PL experience and hunger for top level competition.
I don't see why it should be one or the other. They are really different and United NEED a sentinel like Schneiderlin. It would be more relevant to compare Schwensteiger with Herrera or Fellaïni.
signing both would be better. without schweini, only carrick has the experience of playing in CL(Mata too but he won't play in central midfield). plus schneiderlin could learn a lot from him
Schweinsteiger for sure. United are missing a passer that can replace Carrick. Schneidelein is young, talented and worth his value, but his passing ability is not as good as Carrick's. I think Goundugan is actually the best bast option and Verrati might be a good option too(also he's better as a box-to-box midfielder) Van Gaal himself said he wants a "holding midfielder" not a defensive midfielder.(plus I believe according to the players he interested in he wants someone who can play both defensive midfielder or box-to-box). united gained 77% of the potential points with Carrick and only 47% without him so they should'nt settle on someone who can't keep up with their possesion game. (I'm not speaking english so I might have some grammar mistakes)
@galgadot1818 Schneiderlin's range of passing is actually pretty good. To be fair, the amount of money United apparently have to spend why not sign both?
@galgadot1818 *althought not also (in the part on Verrati)
They should sign Schneiderlin, younger and his profil is missing at United (Arsenal too)