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Manchester United confirmed the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin earlier today from Southampton. The Frenchman was signed by Louis van Gaal after a lot of speculation in the papers over the last few weeks.
The Old Trafford outfit have addressed their weakness in midfield, and in the form of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin, now have great additions to the existing players in Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, and Marouane Fellaini.
Having initially had reservations about signing him, Van Gaal and Manchester United went ahead and completed the process. We take a look at what it was that changed the club’s thought process was his performance against Manchester United.
"No.6 is a key player," Van Gaal had said before flying off for his summer break in Portugal, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
"I have more key roles, the No.6 is just one of those key roles. You have seen this season, for example, because Michael Carrick is injured and I don’t have another, I have to play with Ander Herrera there. He did it very well, but it is not his specialty,“ Van Gaal told Manchester Evening News.
"I have played Wayne Rooney there also, but it is not his favored position. I had to do this because I don’t have another right-footed holding midfielder like Carrick. That is why it is a key role, but I cannot discuss other positions because then I show too much." as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
Schneiderlin’s domination of Michael Carrick pivotal
Although it is said that the Dutchman was not sure of the former Southampton midfielder’s prowess, what convinced him about the Frenchman’s abilities was his performance against Manchester United.
Southampton’s 1-0 win over United back in January when Carrick was pitted against Saint’s Schneiderlin. The Southampton man won that midfield battle and the United midfield general was ineffective, which was something new, as Carrick had proved to be pivotal whenever he did start for the Red Devils. The English midfielder seldom had statistics going against him, but on that day, he had won fewer duels, had fewer interceptions and had a lower pass completion rate than Schneiderlin.
Van Gaal, as he always does with his methodical approach, meticulously analysed his side’s defeat and zeroed it down to Morgan Schneiderlein being the difference between the two sides that day at Old Trafford. Even though it took a while for the Dutchman to realise the potential of the French International, the 25-year-old should fit seamlessly into the starting XI.
