Morgan Schneiderlin close to completing move to Manchester United after passing medical

Schneiderlin will add some much needed steel to the United midfield

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is inching closer to a switch to Manchester United, with Sky Sports reporting that the player underwent medical at United’s Carrington training HQ. According to The Guardian, the transfer value is an initial £24 million, which could rise to £27m after add-ons.

The 25-year-old French international has been on United’s radar for quite some time, but there were reports that the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich could cool down their interest in Schneiderlin. That has not proven to be the case however with manager Louis van Gaal opting to bring in a player who has sound Premier League experience as well as age on his side, in a position which is highly critical to his philosophy.

The German international flew into Manchester on Sunday to complete his medical and Sky Sports reported that Schneiderlin was undergoing the same late night. The Red Devils leave for their United States pre-season tour on Monday afternoon and it looks like the midfield duo will link up with new signings Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian for their first taste of United match experience.

Schneiderlin’s move away from Southampton one year in the waiting

Schneiderlin came close to leaving St. Mary’s last summer as well with Tottenham Hotspur keen on securing his services, but the player’s wish was turned down after having let the likes of Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Rickie Lambert move away. An uncertain future lay ahead with Schneiderlin suggesting that “he was not physically or mentally ready to play”.

The defensive midfielder though remained a thorough professional and played a major role in securing a seventh place finish for the Saints, featuring in 30 matches across all competitions, chipping in with five goals as well. He has been part of Southampton’s remarkable rise in the recent years having experienced life in League One and the Championship, before three highly successful years in the top tier of English football. He was voted the club’s Player of the Year for the 2012/13 season by Southampton fans.

BBC Sport reported last week that Saints manager Ronald Koeman confirmed they had turned down a bid from United for the player. However, he hinted that he was willing to let go of his star midfielder provided clubs were willing to meet Southampton’s valuation of the midfielder. With United agreeing to pay up, Schneiderlin is finally set to experience his dream of competing in the UEFA Champions League.