Morgan Schneiderlin has revealed the painful truth about his time at Manchester United, admitting his £24m move from Southampton turned into a personal disaster. The French midfielder, once hailed as one of the Premier League's most promising talents, struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford before being sold to Everton just 18 months later.
A Dream Move Gone Wrong
"I thought I was joining the perfect club," Schneiderlin confessed in a recent interview. "But from the first training session, I knew something wasn't right." The 34-year-old described how his confidence "completely disappeared" under Louis van Gaal's management, despite United paying a significant fee to secure his services in 2015.
The Van Gaal Factor
Schneiderlin was particularly critical of Van Gaal's methods: "The training was so rigid, so systematic. There was no freedom, no joy. I went from being one of Southampton's best players to someone who doubted every pass." His struggles were evident on the pitch, making just 39 league appearances during his time at United.
Everton Rescue and Career Revival
The move to Everton in January 2017 proved transformative. "Suddenly I could breathe again," Schneiderlin explained. "Ronald Koeman understood me and gave me the platform to play my game." The midfielder rebuilt his reputation at Goodison Park before later moves to Nice and now Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers.
Looking back, Schneiderlin admits: "That United move damaged me psychologically more than I realised at the time. But it made me stronger in the end." His candid revelations provide a rare insight into the pressures facing big-money signings at elite clubs.
