After finishing fourth in the 2014/15 Premier League season, Manchester United manager at the time Louis van Gaal identified midfield as an area of the squad that needed strengthening ahead of the 2015/16 campaign if his side were to make any real progression.
As a result, as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Dutchman moved for Morgan Schneiderlin in a transfer that delighted supporters.
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 BANG BANG FROM UNCLE ED
— BT (@TheTeamForMe) July 13, 2015
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 Give Mr. Woodward a pat on the back, courtesy of every Man Utd fan worldwide. He deserves it. Now, more signings 🙂
— Ross Gillett 🏴 (@S18RSG) July 13, 2015
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 Yes!! Another Great signing! What a great Monday this is. #WelcomeMorgan
— Jeanette (@JeanetteEliz) July 13, 2015
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 yall been living a lie. Santa isn't real.
But Ed Woodward is.
— David Naden (@nadenesque) July 13, 2015
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 Iwjshzhshhahahshhshs ED WOODWARD IS THE MAN!!
— Missy. (@Missymasood) July 13, 2015
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 @BSchweinsteiger @carras16 that midfield trio tho
— Luke Byrne (@luke_cm_byrne00) July 13, 2015
@ManUtd @SchneiderlinMo4 This is getting Scherious!! Welcome lad!
— Nielsen (@ManUtd84) July 13, 2015
During his time at Southampton, Schneiderlin established himself as one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League since the Saints’ promotion to English football’s top flight back in 2012.
In the middle of the park, the Frenchman was both a combative figure and tidy passer of the ball, making his transfer to Old Trafford a logical one given Manchester United’s midfield troubles.
Things, however, did not pan out the way supporters would have hoped with Schneiderlin going on to epitomise the football under van Gaal that left such a dissatisfying taste in their mouths.
The France international was extremely slow in possession and often moved the ball sideways rather than vertically much to the frustration of the Old Trafford faithful.
Schneiderlin now finds himself playing his football at Everton with van Gaal’s successor Jose Mourinho deeming him surplus to requirements. And with the likes of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic now at the club, the 28-year-old will hardly be missed to say the least.
