One of Manchester United’s out of favour midfielders in Morgan Schneiderlin is set for a January exit, and two Premier League clubs in Everton and West Brom will go head to head to sign him.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman and Tony Pulis of West Bromwich Albion have made the Frenchman their top target this January, according to The Telegraph. The report states that the two clubs will compete with each other to sign Schneiderlin from Manchester United for £20 million.
The Frenchman was a key player in Ronald Koeman’s Southampton setup. The Dutch manager has since moved on to Everton, and is keen to sign up his former player this winter. The Toffees were interested in Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi, but the £25 million price-tag seems to have put them off.
Both Everton and West Brom have done business with Manchester United in the very recent past. The Toffees signed midfielder Tom Cleverly from United in 2015, while West Brom currently have the former United duo of Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans as important first team players.
A reunion with his former boss Koeman may be the more appealing option for Schneiderlin. West Brom should also prove to be an interesting option though, with the Baggies currently doing well in the Premier League.
Morgan Schneiderlin was one of the big signings made by former manager Louis Van Gaal in the summer of 2015. The Frenchman had enjoyed a very successful spell at Southampton, and was regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league.
However, it has all gone downhill for him since. Schneiderlin failed to shine under the Iron Tulip last season, despite making 39 appearances for United in all competitions. He was even dropped from the French national team, a telling sign of his regression.
New manager Jose Mourinho seemingly doesn’t figure the 28-year-old in his plans. Schneiderlin has made only two appearances under Mourinho, and is currently behind a long queue of players competing for a place in central midfield.
Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba are all ahead of him in the pecking order. Schneiderlin will hope that a move away from United in January will help resurrect his ailing career.
