Football: New dawn for United as US tour kicks off

The future of Manchester United will be on display here Friday as Louis van Gaal gives his first glimpse of a new-look side he hopes will return the club to the summit of English football.

The Premier League giants kick off a four-match tour of the United States against Club America of Mexico after completing a flurry of high-calibre signings which look to have strengthened United in several key areas.

The arrival of German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger and French international Morgan Schneiderlin has given United's midfield a look of class it has lacked arguably since the last of Alex Ferguson's great sides.

United's defence has been enhanced by the arrival of highly rated Italian international right back Matteo Darmian while in attack van Gaal has added the exciting talents of winger Memphis Depay.

"I am very happy because they are in my opinion very good players," van Gaal said ahead of Friday's game at CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks American football team.

"That is why Manchester United has bought them and I am very happy that they are here before the tour because we can prepare all the team elements what I have to implement with new players.

"It is much better than last year."

Fight for places

Clues as to how van Gaal plans to weave the new arrivals into his existing squad should emerge over the next fortnight in the US, where United will also face games against the San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris St-Germain.

But van Gaal has warned his new signings they would need to prove they deserved a place in United's starting line-up.

"I have to say to the players, you have to fight for your position," van Gaal said.

"Never is it secure in top sport -- even my position is not secure," added van Gaal, who demonstrated his ruthless streak this week by announcing he planned to sell goalkeeper Victor Valdes, just seven months after signing him, because he had refused to play for the reserves.

Van Gaal reportedly favours a 4-3-3 formation, which could comprise Michael Carrick, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger in a midfield three.

However he hinted this week that he could opt for a 4-2-3-1 line-up, which may see Schneiderlin and Carrick sitting behind a three of Ander Herrera, Schweinsteiger and Juan Mata.

"I have said already that our selection was not in balance and I have mentioned that I want to make the balance with midfielders," van Gaal said.

"So you could expect that I shall buy two holding midfielders. Morgan Schneiderlin is the type that I think can play in our system and in our philosophy."

Schweinsteiger aims high

Former Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger, who completed his transfer from the Bundesliga giants to Old Trafford earlier this week, has set his sights on helping United challenge for silverware once more after the club won just one trophy -- the FA Community Shield -- in two seasons.

"That is my goal for my time here. I want to win titles and this is what Manchester United is used to and I am the same," Schweinsteiger said in Seattle.

"I cannot guarantee titles but I will guarantee that we will do everything to be successful in the season," he said.

"I want to make a positive impact. I think I can contribute a lot to the team."

Schweinsteiger said he hoped lessons learned during his Bayern career, when the club suffered fallow spells before reasserting their dominance, could prove useful as he attempts to return United to glory.

"We had two seasons when Borussia Dortmund were the champions twice in a row ... You learn a lot from these defeats and situations. It was a progress," Schweinsteiger said.

"It is the same at Manchester United. I know the club are looking forward to winning titles again and I am the same.

"They are the biggest club in the world and I am sure this team has the quality to win titles."