Does Morgan Schneiderlin make United boring?
Morgan Schneiderlin was signed by Louis van Gaal for a fee of £24m to provide cover for the defence which leaked goals last season. The Frenchman was identified as a an option to replace Michael Carrick in the long-term but so far this season it has not worked out. Schneiderlin has definitely shored up the United defence but in doing so the style of play has become much more predictable and is affecting the way the team are used to playing – attacking and free-flowing.
The former Saints midfielder has a starting position which is much too deep for United to begin attacks from. At times Schneiderlin is almost in line with the centre back pairing as the full backs on both sides attack at will. With Schneiderlin taking up such a deep-lying role the midfield three behind Rooney are forced to come further away from the opposition goal in order to get the ball.
Following the league games at the start of the season Wayne Rooney was criticised for being too deep and was often found in the centre of the field chasing the ball rather than taking up scoring positions in the opposition box. Schneiderlin will have to adjust his positioning and begin to read the game much better or risk being left out of van Gaal’s starting XI on a more regular basis.
The “Makelele Role” is not suitable for Schneiderlin currently as he lacks the passing ability held by the likes of Carrick and Schweinsteiger which United rely upon. Given the fact that the majority of the opposition Manchester United will face over the course of the season are likely to play with 10 or 11 men behind the ball they cannot afford to sit deep as they then become predictable. Teams know that when Schneiderlin is on the ball there is a limit to where he can play it too, if the ball is moving sideways or back there is no risk of United’s more dangerous attackers doing any damage in the final third.
Last season the Red Devils, although defensively frail, where adventurous in attack. There is no doubting that ultimately results did suffer but the football was attractive and the defensive weakness was never put down to the lack of a defensive midfielder. The fans and commentators placed the defensive issues firmly down to the lack of a commanding centre back to hold the line and issues with consistency in selection, which Louis van Gaal has chosen to ignore and instead brought in Scheiderlin to provide an extra line of defence.
If everyone where fit at Old Trafford it is difficult to see what Scheiderlin brings to a team that will challenge for the title. During his time at Southampton he looked much more impressive as he had more defensive work to carry out and less was expected of him in an attacking sense. With Carrick and Schweinsteiger in midfield the opposition must press the ball immediately knowing that with time and space either could deliver a killer ball at any moment, this need to press then leaves space for attackers such as Memphis, Mata, Martial and Rooney to capitalise on.
Morgan Schneiderlin is a very talented footballer, of that there is no doubt. His role at Manchester United may develop in a much similar manner to Marouane Fellaini where there are specific circumstances where he can be deployed. Schneiderlin does have defensive qualities which cannot be ignored and he has firmed up the Manchester United defence, but the question is do Red Devils fans want to watch boring defensive football or would they rather see attacking flair and watch their team outplay opponents in a way more accustomed to a club such as Manchester United.