Manchester United accelerated their summer recruitment by confirming the signings of Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and France international Morgan Schneiderlin on Monday, as manager Louis van Gaal revamps his midfield.
Having already brought in Italy right-back Matteo Darmian and Netherlands winger Memphis Depay, United have reportedly spent £40 million (Dh228m) on the central midfielders.
Van Gaal oversaw a spending spree of about £15m last summer as the 20-time English champions looked to recover their lofty status after a woeful season under David Moyes in 2013/14, when the team finished seventh. And United are spending big again a year later.
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Schweinsteiger signed a three-year deal for a reported £15m after leaving Bayern Munich, where he spent the first 17 years of his career. British media are reporting Schneiderlin will cost about £25m, after he signed a four-year contract with the option of another year.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bayern Munich, it has been an incredible journey and I didn’t take the decision to leave lightly,” said Schweinsteiger, who won the Bundesliga eight times and the Uefa Champions League with the German giants. “Manchester United is the only club that I would have left Munich for.”
Schweinsteiger will provide United with experience and leadership in midfield and will be reunited with Van Gaal, who previously coached Bayern.
Schneiderlin is less well known. He joined Southampton from French club Strasbourg in 2008 and spent years in the English lower leagues. He has played nine times for France.
“Once I learnt that United were interested in signing me, it was a very easy decision to make,” Schneiderlin said.
Michael Carrick was United’s main central midfielder last season, although he had injury problems. Van Gaal often resorted to using striker and captain Wayne Rooney as a midfielder.
Meanwhile, United goalkeeper David de Gea was named in the club’s 26-man squad for a pre-season tour of the United States despite reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
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