Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has said the club’s new signings will enable them to mount a sustained challenge for the Premier League title this season.
Louis van Gaal’s side finished fourth in his first campaign in charge, but a pre-season spending spree has bolstered United’s hopes of wresting away the title from Chelsea.
Netherlands winger Memphis Depay, signed from PSV Eindhoven, and veteran Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, lured from Bayern Munich, are the most eye-catching names among those recruited by Van Gaal.
England left-back Shaw has been impressed with impact those two new recruits have already made ahead of United’s opening fixture against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“Bastian’s a massive legend,” Shaw said. “For someone with that much experience to come into the team will be vital to help us push for some trophies this season.
“He’s one of the most humble guys I’ve come across. He’s not too loud and he’s quite funny at the same time. It’s nice to have a German around in the dressing room.
“I’ve also got on well with Memphis. He’s a different character. It’s good for the changing room and he’s confident about his own ability. It’s something new to have but it’s very good to have.”
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Van Gaal has to decide whether to pick goalkeeper David de Gea, who has been unsettled over speculation which has linked him to Real Madrid during pre-season, for the visit of Spurs.
Should the Dutchman decide that De Gea is not in the right frame of mind he will hand a debut to Sergio Romero even though he has not featured in any of the club’s warm-up matches.
The Argentina international joined United at the end of last month on a free transfer, having previously been at Sampdoria.
United are without Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who serves a three-match suspension following his red card in the final game of last season, against Hull.
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