After strong rumours on Friday night that Bastian Schweinsteiger was on the verge of a move to Manchester United to reunite with former Bayern Munich boss Louis Van Gaal, his current club have publicly confirmed that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs. Bild had reported on Friday night that a deal amounting to 20 million was on the table, and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now confirmed that the deal is heading towards completion. That follows swiftly on from Bayern's new signing Joshua Kimmich letting the cat out of the bag during his press conference when he said he was "disappointed Bastian will leave us this summer." Rummenigge admitted that the club's hand was effectively forced when the German asked to be allowed to take on another challenge before the end of his career. Having cemented United's position in the top four last season - despite never really pulling up any trees in terms of style of play - Van Gaal's considerable task this season will be to push on again and mount a real title challenge (no matter how much he inevitably plays it down). They've gone some way to making that challenge a reality with the signing of highly-rated forward Memphis Depay, and the addition of World Cup winner Schweinsteiger will add some serious mettle to the midfield. He is the kind of player United need in top games next season, and the kind of leader who will help address some of the issues with inexperience that dogged Van Gaal's side earlier in the term last year. Van Gaal's side could yet welcome more players in the coming days with Matteo Darmian's move heading towards completion and a chance that Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin may still join to revamp the Red Devils' central midfield entirely. And of course there's the issue of replacing Robin Van Persie, whose move to Fenebahce looks likely to be finalised this weekend. If that was to mean a mooted move for Thomas Muller came off, fans would have lots of reasons to be excited for the coming season, even with the expected loss of David De Gea. Are you happy with the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger? Share your excitement below in the comments thread.
