MANCHESTER: Manchester United accelerated their recruitment drive this offseason by signing Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and France international Morgan Schneiderlin on Monday, as the team revamps its midfield.

Having already brought in Italy right back Matteo Darmian and Netherlands winger Memphis Depay, United have reportedly spent 40 million pounds ($62 million) on a pair of central midfielders.

United manager Louis van Gaal oversaw a spending spree of about 150 million pounds (then $250 million) last summer as the 20-time English champions looked to recover their lofty status after a woeful season under David Moyes in 2013-14, when the team finished seventh.

And United are spending big again a year later.

Schweinsteiger signed a three-year deal for a reported 15 million pounds ($23 million) after leaving Bayern Munich, where he spent the first 17 years of his career.

British media are reporting Schneiderlin will cost about 25 million pounds ($39 million), after he signed a four-year contract with the option of another year.

Schweinsteiger will provide United with experience and leadership in midfield and will be reunited with Van Gaal, under whom he played at Bayern from 2009 and 2011.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bayern Munich, it has been an incredible journey and I didn’t take the decision to leave lightly. Manchester United is the only club that I would have left Munich for,” the 30-year-old 2014 World Cup winning midfielder told United’s website.

“I feel ready for this new and exciting challenge in what I regard as the most competitive league in the world and I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal again. I will never forget my time at Bayern Munich and I would like to thank everyone at the club and the fans for the great memories.”

Schweinsteiger made 536 appearances for Bayern since his debut in 2002, winning the Bundesliga title eight times along with seven German Cups and the Champions League in 2013.

The 25-year-old Schneiderlin is less well known. He was playing in the English third tier with Southampton five years ago having joined from French club Strasbourg in 2008 but helped the club return to the Premier League and was in France’s 2014 World Cup squad.

After being a pivotal figure in the Saints establishing themselves as a competitive side in the Premier League, Schneiderlin said while he had loved his time at Southampton it had been an easy decision for him to make once he heard United were interested.

“I am delighted to be a Manchester United player. Once I learned that United were interested in signing me, it was a very easy decision to make,” said Schneiderlin, who was at one point linked with a move to Arsenal. “The chance to be part of this squad to help this great club be successful was too good to miss.”

Michael Carrick was United’s main central midfielder last season, although he had injury problems. Van Gaal often resorted to using striker and captain Wayne Rooney as a midfielder.

Van Gaal is expected to also sign at least one striker this offseason, having released Radamel Falcao after a season-long loan and with Robin van Persie set to join Fenerbahce in Turkey.

That leaves United — who travel to the United States for a pre-season on Monday — with just two genuine strikers, Rooney and youngster James Wilson.

Published in Dawn ,July 14th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play