Manchester United announce signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton for £25m as club continue summer spending

By Nicholas Godden for MailOnline

Published: 08:12 EST, 13 July 2015 | Updated: 09:14 EST, 13 July 2015

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton taking the club's summer spending towards £80million.

The France midfielder, who wanted to leave St Mary's last summer, joins Old Trafford in a deal worth £25m to end one of the summer's longest running transfer sagas.

The 25-year-old has signed a four-year deal with an option for a fifth and joins Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was also announced on Monday, Matteo Darmian and Memphis Depay as the club's other big-money arrivals ahead of the new season.

Manchester United have announced the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton

Manchester United have announced the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton

Morgan Schneiderlin wanted to leave Southampton last summer but was forced to stay

Morgan Schneiderlin wanted to leave Southampton last summer but was forced to stay

'I am delighted to be a Manchester United player,' Schneiderlin told manutd.com. 'Once I learned that United were interested in signing me, it was a very easy decision to make. 

'I have enjoyed seven very happy years with Southampton and it's a club that will always be in my heart. But the chance to be part of this squad to help this great club be successful was too good to miss.

'I'm excited to be starting that journey on our trip to the USA. I know what Manchester United means to fans all over the world and I'm looking forward to experiencing that.'

United had been in discussions with Southampton for several weeks about Schneiderlin as the south coast club held out for as much money as possible.

Schneiderlin will form part of a new-look Manchester United midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schneiderlin will form part of a new-look Manchester United midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger

United manager Louis van Gaal was keen to conclude deals for Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger before the squad jetted off for their pre-season tour of the United States on Monday.

Sportsmail revealed on Sunday that Schneiderlin had undergone a medical and the club were able to wrap the deal up before they fly out.

'Morgan is a very talented player with great energy and ability,' Van Gaal told manutd.com. 'His skills will complement the players that we already have and I am very pleased that we have been able to complete this deal before the tour to the United States. 

German World Cup winner Schweinsteiger was also confirmed as a United player on Monday

German World Cup winner Schweinsteiger was also confirmed as a United player on Monday

The 30-year-old signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford after the clubs agreed a fee 

The 30-year-old signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford after the clubs agreed a fee 

'That training camp will be very important in our preparations for the new season and gives Morgan and the other players a chance to show our fans what they can achieve together.'

United had a bid of £20m rejected by Southampton for Schneiderlin, who was also a target for Arsenal and Tottenham, earlier in the window before returning with an improved offer.

United also announced the signing of right back Matteo Darmian from Torino last week

United also announced the signing of right back Matteo Darmian from Torino last week

The three new signings join Memphis Depay, who joined the club for £25m before the end of the last campaign

The three new signings join Memphis Depay, who joined the club for £25m before the end of the last campaign

Schneiderlin will take his place in a new-look midfield alongside German World Cup winner Schweinsteiger next season as Van Gaal continues to revamp the squad.

It is understood that a high-profile striker is next on Van Gaal's list after the club lost Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, while they remain hopeful of prising Sergio Ramos away from Real Madrid.

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