Manchester United Transfer News: Morgan Schneiderlin, Nicolas Otamendi Rumours

Manchester United’s capture of Bastian Schweinsteiger has cast doubts over their reported chase of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

As noted by Sami Mokbel of the MailOnline, the Frenchman seemed poised to join the Red Devils with Louis van Gaal looking to reshape his midfield. But the piece claims an agreement for the Germany skipper has left the club’s pursuit of the Frenchman unclear, with Tottenham Hotspur apparently ready to make their move for the midfield star.

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Previously, Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell has discussed whether Schweinsteiger or Schneiderlin would be a better fit for the Red Devils:

The arrival of the Germany skipper has certainly got the Old Trafford faithful excited. Schweinsteiger has won almost every honour possible in the game and while he’s a little past his very best, the German will add some overdue forceful presence to the heart of the United midfield.

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But Schneiderlin would have been as equally a savvy capture. Granted, the Frenchman is nowhere near as experienced as Schweinsteiger, but he seems to be getting better and better every time he takes to the field for Saints, blossoming into one of the very best midfield players in the Premier League.

However, James Robson of the Manchester Evening News thinks the capture of the German could help United’s pursuit of the Southampton man, not hinder it:

The prospect of Schneiderlin lining up alongside Schweinsteiger at the base of the United midfield is an enticing one. They’re a pair that can help defensively and further forward, potentially giving the Red Devils a perfect partnership to build a title-winning team around.

Schneiderlin may draw some interest from elsewhere, but for a burgeoning midfielder, the prospect of playing alongside Schweinsteiger would surely be too good an opportunity to turn down. If United do still preserve an interest, the Frenchman will surely end up at Old Trafford come the summer’s end.

Nicolas Otamendi Next On United’s List

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According to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star Sunday, United’s next signing is likely to be Nicolas Otamendi, with notorious agent Jorge Mendes apparently drafted in to help expedite a deal to the Red Devils.

The Argentina international, who has also apparently attracted interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, was superb for Valencia in 2014-15 and is reportedly valued at £25 million by Los Che. Hetherington claims that despite interest from other Premier League clubs, United is the player’s “most likely destination.”

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The defensive side of the Red Devils team left much to be desired in Van Gaal’s debut season at Old Trafford. David De Gea’s superb goalkeeping kept United in matches at times, with the centre-backs chosen by the Dutch coach rarely looking comfortable in a variety of partnerships and systems.

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez thinks Otamendi would be an ideal candidate to shore up this area of the team:

Indeed, the former Porto man has grown into one of the top defenders in world football. Otamendi is not only a player who relishes the physical battle, but he’s an astute timer of tackles, a good reader of the game and a player that’s capable with the ball at his feet.

As we can see here courtesy of OptaJose, not only does the Albiceleste star outdo some illustrious defenders in a variety of statistical categories, he chips in with vital goals too:

If the Red Devils can get him in, Otamendi could potentially be the signing of the summer. Valencia were so good in 2014-15 under Nuno Santo, playing a cohesive brand of high intensity football. But the assured platform provided by the Argentine international was central to their success.

He may cost a lot of money, but Otamendi would enrich United’s defence with his wide range of skills. With Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin potentially shielding in front of him, this Red Devils XI would start to look almost impenetrable ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.