Schweinsteiger can make United contenders again: Rooney

SANTA CLARA — Wayne Rooney believes the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger can help Manchester United bridge the gap from also-rans to contenders when the new season kicks off next month.

Schweinsteiger, a £15 million (S$31.9 million) signing from Bayern Munich, sat out United’s glamour friendly against Barcelona in Santa Clara on Saturday night due to a minor knee injury sustained during the squad’s week-long training camp in San Jose.

He has made a visible impact, both on the pitch and off it, during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, with the Germany captain’s experience and leadership evident in games against Club America and San Jose Earthquakes, while club staff speak glowingly about Schweinsteiger’s “aura” and the effect his arrival has had on the squad.

Schweinsteiger, 30, has also struck an immediate bond with Rooney, and the United and England captain admits his new team-mate has already made his presence felt.

“Bastian is obviously a fantastic player,” said Rooney. “Everyone has known that over the years. But since he has joined up with the squad, he has been a fantastic person, talking with all the players and the young players too, which is a great help to them, having someone of that experience and who is that successful. He is a great addition to the team and I feel it will be a very good signing for us.”

Louis van Gaal’s insistence that the bulk of United’s summer recruitment was done before the squad departed for their four-game tour of the US has enabled Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian to assimilate with the team and adjust to the demands of their manager.

Last season highlighted the time required by players to embrace Van Gaal’s methods, with United struggling to impress for long spells of the campaign. But the failure of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao to impress at United last term, despite their well-established reputations as star players, emphasised the difficulty experienced by many new arrivals at Old Trafford, who are caught out by the size of the club and the expectation to succeed.

Rooney insisted, however, that this summer’s new signings would not be fazed by the challenge of playing for United. “It can (take players by surprise),” he said. “It is obviously important to help the new players settle in, but the ones we have brought in are experienced and successful. I am sure they will add a lot to the team.”

With the Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur now just two weeks away, Van Gaal admitted the need for his players to step up their preparations.

Prior to the Barcelona game, United had been unconvincing in their wins against Club America in Seattle and San Jose in California, and there remains a concern as to whether the players will be match-sharp for their opening encounter with Spurs. But after spending half of last season learning Van Gaal’s so-called “philosophy”, Rooney insists the team are now fully on board with the Dutchman’s approach.

Having been restored to a central striking position, the goalscoring burden is back on Rooney’s shoulders, but while he refused to set a goal target, the 29-year-old insists he can deliver. “It is a position where I think I can score goals,” said Rooney. “I am ready to take that mantle on and be the one who gets the goals for us.” THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH