Sterling Transfer Saga is Finally Over (PART II)

Bastian Schweinsteiger might be more important for United than Raheem Sterling to City.

The Raheem Sterling Transfer Saga has been finally concluded. Manchester City and Liverpool agreed on a transfer fee up to GBP 49 million (including add-ons). This finally enables us and many of those who bet on sports in the US, to concentrate on other teams’ transfer activities. For example there is Manchester United, where Louis van Gaal continues to make intriguing changes.

• Schweini is vital for United
• Red Devils have debt in midfield
• Van Gaal might still need a goalkeeper

The manager already brought in his fellow Dutchman Memphis Depay. By that, he enhanced his options on the wing. By bringing in Matteo Darmian, he continued to do that, however, the Italian will also help United’s backline. On Monday, two more exciting transfers had been announced. Both of them were in the air for long. Though the defense might still be feeble, with these two players United can make a step closer to the top of the field.

United signing Schweini is more exciting than the Sterling transfer

It was expected and it was not. It was rumored since years, but never happened. Until this week. Manchester United finally announced German world champion midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as their new player on Monday. It is not a common thing that the Red Devils sign a German international. Mobile betting players remembering a certain Mr. Owen Hargreaves might be still stunned. And yet it will be very interesting to see how Schweini will compete in the Premiership.

Though the announcement of the Sterling transfer led the news, Schweinsteiger’s arrival is a much bigger thing in some aspects. It is an obvious move at the same time to bring in a player, who is so good at retaining the ball. Ball control is vital in Louis van Gaal’s footballing philosophy. Though he made some pragmatic calls in the last campaign, those were temporary solutions only.

In the upcoming season, United will probably dominate possession against any opponent in the league. To secure this, Schweinsteiger, who will have a guaranteed place in the starting line-up, will contribute greatly. His footballing intelligence and his distribution will improve United anyway. However, putting him to a midfield that also has the versatility of Marouane Fellaini and the creativity of Juan Mata, and a few other useful players, makes them one of the most exciting units in England. And now they also have the work rate of Morgan Schneiderlin.

Schneiderlin adds depth and power

It looked weeks ago that United could announce Schneiderlin soon. However it took much longer to agree with Southampton, than it was first thought. The 25-year-old Frenchman will cost GBP 25 million, while Schweini, who is 31, was around GBP 15, gambling news report. Schneiderlin, a French international, is a powerful and combative player, who is good with the ball on his feet too.

By the addition of these two, United will have a depth in midfield that would catapult them to title contest at once. With a couple of new faces in the backline, the Red Devils could be the number one challengers of title defenders Chelsea. The depth in midfield might also allow Daley Blind to play in defense. That would not just strengthen the backline, but also enhanced United’s ability to retain the ball.

Goalkeeper is a need

Many online betting players might know that Van Gaal already brought in Matteo Darmian from Torino for a fee of GBP 12 million. The Italian could help on the right side of the defense, however he could be used as a wing-back as well, if Van Gaal chooses to play three defenders. Darmian will provide quality and debt as well, considering that Rafael and Antonio Valencia are also able to play these positions.

However, the Red Devils will need one more central defender at least, and they could use a goalkeeper too. After it was announced that Iker Casillas leaves Real Madrid for Porto, it seems inevitable that David De Gea will join Los Blancos. That leaves United with Anders Lindegaard, Victor Valdes and Sam Johnstone as options in goal. Lindegaard is a second-string goalkeeper, Valdes, 33, is well over his peak after his serious injury, while Johnstone, 22, has yet to make his debut for United.

Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is a strong possibility. Van Gaal coached him at the Dutch national team, and he was his first choice goalkeeper for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. By acquiring him, and adding a top quality defender, Manchester United would be able to fight for the title in the 2015-16 Premier League season.