Bintangbola : Louis van Gaal warns new Man United signings they must fight to start
Bintangbola - Louis van Gaal has warned Manchester United's new signings they will have to fight for their places at Old Trafford.
On Wednesday, the Red Devils unveiled Bastian
Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian to the media in
Seattle, where they are preparing for the first game of their pre-season
tour against Club America at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.
Schweinsteiger
is one of the most decorated players in the game but Van Gaal was keen
to stress to the German World Cup winner that he would have to prove
himself all over again at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal said: "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."
The
United boss also admitted he is curious to see how Schweinsteiger and
Darmian, who unlike Schneiderlin have never played in the Premier
League, adapt to the physical nature of English football.
"Morgan
can cope with the Premier League," van Gaal said. "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."
Judi Online
Van Gaal was keen to stress in the press conference how pleased he
was that, unlike last season, United have concluded these signings
before jetting off on tour and praised executive vice-chairman Ed
Woodward for getting them completed in time.
"The difficulty is to get these players," Van Gaal said. "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."
Van Gaal often bemoaned his lack of balance in
midfield last season and was forced to put captain Wayne Rooney in a
holding midfield role on multiple occasions.
After signing Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger, the Dutchman is confident he now has the balance he covets.
"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," van Gaal said.
"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."
New right full-back Matteo Darmian was unable to say
much at the press conference due to his limited English but van Gaal was
more than happy to outline why he wanted the Italy international at Old
Trafford.
"I want always a player who can defend in the first
place," van Gaal said. "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."
