Manchester United have already
begun their transfer business by bringing in Memphis Depay, but they are
expected to spend further this summer ahead of a planned title
challenge.
The club have arguably been in need of a dominant central midfielder for several years now, and Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger has emerged as a target. They are confident of signing him for £7.5 million and the deal is close, as per the Mirror.
United boss Louis van Gaal already knows Schweinsteiger very well,
and he successfully converted the World Cup winner from a winger into a
commanding central midfielder during his time in charge at the Allianz
Arena.
We’ve taken a look at how United’s midfield and attack could line-up with Schweinsteiger in the team.
The club have arguably been in need of a dominant central midfielder for several years now, and Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger has emerged as a target. They are confident of signing him for £7.5 million and the deal is close, as per the Mirror.
We’ve taken a look at how United’s midfield and attack could line-up with Schweinsteiger in the team.
Option 1: 4-3-3
Van Gaal has tended to set his team up in a 4-3-3 system throughout his managerial career, and United played their best football of the campaign when they played in that formation, recording impressive wins against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
It provides good coverage across the pitch and gives the player on the ball a number of passing options. Last season, United’s passing was laboured, but Schweinsteiger would help to make them move the ball around the pitch with more purpose while retaining their accuracy.
Between the German and Michael Carrick, United would expect to control possession in most games, and this set-up could bring the best out of Angel Di Maria. He played on the left of a midfield three in his last season at Real Madrid, and his ability to carry the ball at pace over long distances was vital to their tenth Champions League title.
Memphis Depay’s speed and dribbling ability can stretch defences on the left while Juan Mata’s intelligent movement off the right flank became an increasingly important factor in United’s attacking play last season.
Option 2: 4-4-2 diamond
The former Netherlands boss also experimented with a diamond shape last season, and Schweinsteiger would provide more control in central areas.
He will be used to adjusting to different tactical frameworks, having worked with Van Gaal previously and Pep Guardiola, and his experience would help to organise the players around him, closing any gaps that may be exploited.
The problem with this particular line-up is that a diamond requires the two players on the outside to be incredibly fit, in order to provide the necessary width, as well as get up and down the pitch.
Schweinsteiger will be 31 by the time the new season begins, and it would be asking a lot to expect him to consistently perform at his best in that role.
Option 3: 3-5-2
United rarely looked comfortable when Van Gaal deployed a back three in the early stages of last season, but Schweinsteiger has played in that shape for Guardiola’s Bayern, and he knows exactly what is required from the central midfielders to make it work.
He and Carrick would lay a solid foundation for the players further forward though there is a lack of pace in that partnership.
Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia would provide speed and energy in wide areas, and they both impressed with their commitment when used in unfamiliar defensive roles last term.
Further forward, an attacking trio of Di Maria, Memphis Depay, and Wayne Rooney could be lethal, and there is a real mix of attributes between them that could be very difficult for opposition defences to handle.
Van Gaal has tended to set his team up in a 4-3-3 system throughout his managerial career, and United played their best football of the campaign when they played in that formation, recording impressive wins against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
It provides good coverage across the pitch and gives the player on the ball a number of passing options. Last season, United’s passing was laboured, but Schweinsteiger would help to make them move the ball around the pitch with more purpose while retaining their accuracy.
Between the German and Michael Carrick, United would expect to control possession in most games, and this set-up could bring the best out of Angel Di Maria. He played on the left of a midfield three in his last season at Real Madrid, and his ability to carry the ball at pace over long distances was vital to their tenth Champions League title.
Memphis Depay’s speed and dribbling ability can stretch defences on the left while Juan Mata’s intelligent movement off the right flank became an increasingly important factor in United’s attacking play last season.
Option 2: 4-4-2 diamond
The former Netherlands boss also experimented with a diamond shape last season, and Schweinsteiger would provide more control in central areas.
He will be used to adjusting to different tactical frameworks, having worked with Van Gaal previously and Pep Guardiola, and his experience would help to organise the players around him, closing any gaps that may be exploited.
The problem with this particular line-up is that a diamond requires the two players on the outside to be incredibly fit, in order to provide the necessary width, as well as get up and down the pitch.
Schweinsteiger will be 31 by the time the new season begins, and it would be asking a lot to expect him to consistently perform at his best in that role.
Option 3: 3-5-2
United rarely looked comfortable when Van Gaal deployed a back three in the early stages of last season, but Schweinsteiger has played in that shape for Guardiola’s Bayern, and he knows exactly what is required from the central midfielders to make it work.
He and Carrick would lay a solid foundation for the players further forward though there is a lack of pace in that partnership.
Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia would provide speed and energy in wide areas, and they both impressed with their commitment when used in unfamiliar defensive roles last term.
Further forward, an attacking trio of Di Maria, Memphis Depay, and Wayne Rooney could be lethal, and there is a real mix of attributes between them that could be very difficult for opposition defences to handle.
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