United made the breakthrough in their pursuit of the midfielder on the same weekend they wrapped up deals for Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian, and the signing should excite fans of the club.
With an unmatched 626 tackles and interceptions over the last three top-flight seasons, Schneiderlin should be in the conversation when considering the best midfielders in England during that time.
The Frenchman joined Southampton from his local club, Strasbourg, in 2008 just before their drop into League One. His growth since then, from lanky 18-year-old to mature, accomplished performer has mirrored the Saints’ own rise back to prominence.
A regular in the first team ever since, Schneiderlin has been the lynchpin of Southampton’s midfield over the last four years, growing into his physique and learning to combine imposing defence with attacking contribution.
Having forced his way into France’s World Cup squad at the end of 2013-14 – an impressive feat for a player outside of the traditional big clubs – Schneiderlin was ready to push for a move.
Arsenal and Tottenham were both interested in signing him and the player informed Southampton of his desire to depart after Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert had all left the club.
But at the end of a summer in which they had raised £60 million in player sales, Southampton were in a position to play hardball and no club met their £18 million asking price.
Rather than sulk, Schneiderlin threw everything at the Saints’ unlikely bid for the top four and he has been rewarded with a move to Old Trafford.
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Despite having his 2014-15 campaign disrupted by injury, Schneiderlin improved where it mattered, raising his already-impressive tackle success rate from 77 per cent in 2013-14 to 82.3% and increasing his interceptions per game from 2.06 to 2.42, while exactly maintaining his passing accuracy at 89.3%.
It is that last stat which should be so encouraging for United fans. Not only is Schneiderlin a defensive midfielder to rival any in the Premier League but he is also thoroughly capable on the ball, be it making a short pass to a nearby colleague or attempting a more ambitious one further forward.
His range of distribution has been one of his most impressive improvements over the last two seasons.
If there is an area of his development lagging behind the rest, it is his goal tally, which should be higher than the 12 in all competitions since the Saints’ promotion to the top flight, given his ability to drive forward from the middle of the pitch.
But this is a minor issue, considering Schneiderlin’s primary role in the team, and one that is likely to be addressed by the coaching staff at Old Trafford. At 25-years-old, there is still room for them to develop their investment even as he enters what should be his prime.
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