We take an indepth look at Manchester United’s new signings and what we can expect from them based on their performances last season.
Matteo Darmian
The defender played 33 times for Torino and wore number 36 – the number he has worn for United in pre-season so far. He played in a left wing back role most often and, actually, gave his most impressive form from this area, scoring twice. Less than a third of his appearances came at right wing back, where he will be expected to play more often for Louis van Gaal this season.
He averages one shot per game with a passing accuracy of 78%. Defensively, he performs 2.5 tackles per game, makes 1.3 interceptions and 1.7 clearances. He commits a foul a game.
Offensively, he makes a dribble a game and usually offers one key pass every time. As well as those two goals, he contributed one assist. WhoScored.com say his defensive contribution is very strong but his crossing ability is weak.
Memphis Depay
What to make of Memphis from the Eredivisie? These stats may well be misleading given the quality of the opposition but can we say with certainty that the Serie A is any stronger?
Well, Memphis scored 22 goals in the league, playing solely from the left wide position, with a passing accuracy of just under 75%. He averaged 5 and a half shots, almost 3 dribbles and 2 key passes every game. That works out at 60 in his 30 appearances, although he only ended up with 5 assists.
His defensive contribution was at least worthwhile – an average of one tackle a game and one interception every other game.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Like Depay, Schneiderlin was played in just one specialised position, midfield, although around half of his 26 games found him in a slightly withdrawn position, the position he can probably expect to be utilised in this coming season.
United fans have been crying out for a holding midfielder and so WhoScored.com’s list of his strengths will be music to their ears – tackling, passing, ball interceptions and concentration.
Those figures are backed up by an impressive statistical reference. 3.7 tackles and 2.6 interceptions, as well as 1.7 clearances per game illustrate his contribution. He averaged just over 60 passes a game at a completion rate of 89.3%.
Compare that to Michael Carrick – 1.4 tackles and 1.7 interceptions, with 2 clearances a game. The two players’ passing rates are almost identical, with Schneiderlin performing fewer long balls per game.
There would be those who contend it’s easier to rack up more impressive numbers in defensive areas for a team lower in the table but Schneiderlin was able to help his side achieve an admirable position in the league. This signing should be tremendously exciting to United supporters.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
The German midfielder made only fifteen league starts with five substitute appearances, at an average of 68 minutes a game. In all actuality he played around a third of meaningful league action for Bayern Munich last season, in an advanced midfield role most of the time.
WhoScored.com confirm what we already know – the player is strong at passing, long shots, and performing key passes. This is backed up by the stats. A completion percentage of 87.7% for his passing, with five goals and four assists. He averages a dribble a game and 2 shots and key passes per 3 games.
There are bound to be some United fans concerned by his fitness but the player was given some time off after his World Cup exploits and finished the season in sensational form. He scored in his last two games for the club, at Freiburg and on his 500th and final appearance for Bayern against Mainz.
Conclusion
Statistically, only Matteo Darmian is an unknown quantity, with many perhaps unknowingly simply assuming he will come in and solve the problem right back position despite not playing there often last season.