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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is delighted with the signings they have made so far, but warned the new arrivals that they will have to fight for their place in the team.
Manchester United have made quite a statement of intent this summer with their transfer activities. The Red Devils are desperate to challenge for the title next season after two trophy-less seasons.
The signing of Memphis Depay was confirmed before the last season ended, while they have completely changed the dynamics of their midfield through the acquisition of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. Louis van Gaal was mostly forced to use Antonio Valencia as the makeshift right back last season and the arrival of Matteo Darmian will now provide him with a proper option in that role.
The Manchester United manager has however warned his new signings that they will have to fight for their place in the starting line-up.
No onea s place is secured
“Every player who is sitting here can make that contribution but they know already they have to fight for their position.
“Never in top sport is it secure. No position is secure. Even my position is not secure, as you know.
“Morgan Schneiderlin has to fight with Michael Carrick, Schweinsteiger and Daley Blind. These are the players who can play in the centre of midfield.
“Matteo Darmian has to fight with (Antonio) Valencia.” a The Manchester United manager said.
Van Gaal also pointed out that Schweinsteiger and Darmian have moved from a completely different league and they will have to prove their worth in England once again; unlike Schneiderlin, who already has experience of playing in the Premier League.
“Morgan can cope with the Premier League. The question mark is with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian, because they have to prove it.
“That is the difference. There is a big difference between all the leagues and I have trained in them all, so I can judge that.
“But I am fully confident that Bastian and Matteo can cope with the rhythm of the Premier League.” a He added.
The Dutchman also expressed his delight with the work Ed Woodward has done so far and how they have managed to sign the players at such an early stage of the transfer window.
Praise for Woodward
“The difficulty is to get these players. It is not so easy. I am very pleased that Ed Woodward has done that.
“Memphis Depay is here and now the three new signings so it is much better than last year.
“It is not so easy when Manchester United is coming. They are always asking more money than you think you have to spend. But still they are here at the right time.” a Van Gaal said.
The 63-year-old is now satisfied with the options he has in the midfield and believes that the new arrivals will lend the much need balance to his side.
“I have already said in previous press conferences that my selection was not in balance and I have already mentioned in that period last year that I want to make the balance with midfielders.
“So you could expect that I shall buy two holding midfielders. Now Morgan Schneiderlin is the type I think can play in our system and in our philosophy.” a He told the press.
Darmian the complete package
The United boss also heaped praises on Matteo Darmian and believes that the Italian international is a complete right back, who is solid in defence and good going forward.
“I want always a player who can defend in the first place. When you are a right full-back, you have to defend and you have to cooperate with your fellow defenders.
“What I have seen in Darmian is he has a very good orientation. With that orientation, he can cooperate with our central defenders because he has to close the space when the ball is at the other side.
“He is fast. He is also a reasonable header so that is also a plus and he can build up, he can see the free man.
“In an attacking way, he is a good player and Manchester United wants to attack with the full-backs.” a Van Gaal said.