RADIO
As they prepare to defend their International Champions Cup in the United States, Manchester United can quietly revel in the fact that they have already achieved success this summer - by signing Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich.
Having spent 17 years at the German superpower the prevailing ideology might have been that the midfielder would see out his hitherto hugely successful career in his home country. After-all, having won eight Bundesliga titles, seven German Cups and one Champions League medal, the 30 year old could easily have cruised towards retirement. However, Schweinsteiger and Manchester United have an agenda - United need a midfield and the German wants more trophies. Therein lies the brilliance of this signing.
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At a cost of 15 million British Pounds (approximately 24 million Dollars) not only does this seem like a ridiculous bargain but he will plug a glaring gap that has plagued the Red Devils arguably since Roy Keane retired but certainly since Paul Scholes did. United's midfield has, to be perfectly honest, been dire. The German will go a very long way to remedying this vulnerability and will provide a leadership that the team and Wayne Rooney simply hasn't been able to generate since the glory days of Keane and Scholes.
The German captain played an instrumental role in his country's hugely impressive World Cup success last year and after a brief period of adjusting to the English game, expect him to do the same in the Premier League. He will provide a stability and a strength as he likely plays a holding role in front of the back four and will provide a confident outlet when United look to build from the back by making himself available for passes.
Schweinsteiger's strengths lie in his ability to win the ball and lay it off quickly and efficiently. His passing ability is superlative and the statistics are quite astounding. He simply doesn't make errant passes and whilst at Bayern his successful pass percentage was nearly 90%. Expect him to register significantly in the assist metrics this season and his free taking nous also suggests he will score the odd goal or two.
His leadership skills will certainly lend themselves pricelessly to a team that has looked, at times, embarrassingly devoid of ideas over the past few years and have lacked penetration when attacking from deep. Although Wayne Rooney is likely to retain the captain's armband, Van Gaal (who of course worked with Schweinsteiger for two years at Bayern) will unquestionably be looking to the German as the de facto captain and to provide the undisputed and clinical leadership required if United are seriously looking to contend with the big four this season.
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