Louis van Gaal Criticises Bastian Schweinsteiger After Manchester United Win

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal singled out the poor pre-season performance of new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger, after the German featured in the team's 3-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes. 

Van Gaal described the World Cup winner's display as "bad," but he explained the lack of training is still evident in many of his players' legs at present, per FourFourTwo:

"

He [Schweinsteiger] was also bad. There was one highlight I think and that was Pereira [the goal]. Players can play bad and certainly when you have only three days or six days training sessions in your legs and you have to play 45 minutes. Everybody can say that it's easy to step in but it is not easy. I think the first match he played very well, and now he played bad. But that is also a process and certainly when you only have one week of training.

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Eric Risberg/Associated Press

United won their second game of their tour of the United States, with new signing Memphis Depay scoring his first goal for the club. Juan Mata also opened his pre-season goal account for the Red Devils, as the team stumbled to a win over their MLS opponents. 

Van Gaal was frank about his team's organisation in the game, with the coach clearly looking at his defensive and midfield options before a vital campaign for the Old Trafford giants.

"

The first half I was satisfied. The players want and have performed what we want. The defensive organisation [was good] and they have created a lot of chances—10 and they scored two goals, so I was satisfied. It can always be better, but I was satisfied. In the second half, I think we played very badly, a lot of ball losses, unnecessary, and the only highlight was the goal from Pereira and I think we don't give many chances away but we give possibilities away.

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Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Schweinsteiger made his United debut against Club America in his side's first game of the pre-season, and he impressed as a second-half substitute. The midfielder rolled back the years for the side, showing United fans what they have been missing since the retirement of Paul Scholes. 

Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis and Matteo Darmian also made their first bows in the Club America match, and all of the new signings looked comfortable in the red shirt. 

Despite Van Gaal's comments, Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News and Bleacher Report praised Schweinsteiger for his contribution against San Jose, contradicting the manager's assessment:

Schweinsteiger will now be expected to fill the boots of Scholes, with the player admitting his admiration for the Ginger Prince to the club's official website. The 30-year-old also spoke about the quality of his new team-mates, saying:

"

I have to say the quality is huge. I am sure with this team, it is possible to win titles and after a week I can say that. We have a good defence, we have good defensive players, and we have quality players who can make the difference in high-level matches. There are some guys who will come later, so I think this team has a lot of possibilities and qualities.

"

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

The German captain will have to be in top shape for his first season in the Premier League, after starting just 15 matches in the Bundesliga last term, per WhoScored.com. The player also provided five goals and four assists during this period for Bayern Munich, underlining his undoubted quality. 

United now have a world-class midfielder in their ranks, and Van Gaal certainly missed this during his first year in charge. Schweinsteiger will be under the microscope every minute he is on the pitch for his new team, but he has the temperament to deal with the pressure.

The player has the experience and leadership qualities this current incarnation of the Red Devils needs, and United fans will be hoping the midfielder can take the club into the group stages of the Champions League whilst also challenging Chelsea and Manchester City in the Premier League.  

However, United do need further additions if they are to win silverware this year, with the squad looking thin of top-level striking talent after the departures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.