Morgan Schneiderlin: I won't be a Manchester United flop

Posted Wednesday, August 12, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN has vowed to avoid the curse of the Southampton superstars after his big money move to Manchester United.

The 25-year-old French midfielder became the sixth big name Saints player to leave the club over the past two summers following his £24m switch.

But last summer's exodus hardly proved successful for the ex-Southampton contingent.

Rickie Lambert lasted just one season at Liverpool before being packed off to West Brom while Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren hardly set Anfield alight.

Luke Shaw suffered from lack of fitness and was plagued by injuries at Old Trafford last term before the Saints were plundered yet again by United and Liverpool this summer with the purchases of Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne, respectively.

Schneiderlin gave the Saints seven eventful years, however, and says the experience will help him avoid the pitfalls suffered by his former team-mates.

DETERMINED: Morgan Schneiderlin everything he has done has led to this moment

He said: "All my life, I have been working for this moment to happen.

"In my life before, I could have moved but I was not physically ready when I was younger.

"Now I am 25, with the experience I have behind me, it's a good step up for me.

"There are new players, good players, a good club with a good structure. I can't wait to show what i can do.

"I went to Southampton when they were in the Championship and the target was to get in the Premier League and we went down!

MOVING ON: Lambert only lasted a season

"For me, that was the best thing to happen to me. I grew up with the club, at Southampton.

"I learned a lot in my League One and Championship days and it was the best thing for me to grow with the club.

"I am a better player than I was a few years ago and I'm ready for Manchester."

Schneiderlin made over 200 starts for the south coast club in the top three divisions of English football.

And while there is no doubt the midfielder has stepped up into a whole new world compared to low key life with the Saints, he explained that the experience there will serve him well.

Morgan Schneiderlin: I won't be a Manchester United flop
BIG CHANGES: Schneiderlin used to play for Southampton in League One

He said: "In four weeks in Manchester I have done more media and commercial activities than I did in eight years at Southampton.

"It makes you realise straightaway how big this club is.

"It's nice, it's part of the job to be a football player and it's been quite a lot of fun with fun activities. It's been enjoyable.

"Of course you play with more fans here but after that, it is a football game. In a football game the size of the pitch stays the same.

"It's as simple as that. If you stay concentrated on your game, its just a football game."Of course there is more expectation on you, more focus on your performance but like I said before, it doesn't scare me.

"Southampton toughened me up, physically and mentally.

"When I came to England the target was to play in the Premier League and to get back into the Premier League the next year when I was 18.

"Going into League One could have made me sad or worried about my future.

"But I was strong mentally and I was surrounded by good people who made me understand how I have to get better, which part of my physicality I have to improve.

"I'm really grateful for that. I worked really hard on my fitness and the way I understand the game.

"Playing in League One against strong physical players can only help."

After the opening weekend win over Spurs, United visit Aston Villa on Friday night with the Frenchman expecting an even tougher examination.

He said: "It's away from home, they won their first game and want a good start to the season and they know to have a good season they have to win games at home.

"We know to win the title we have to win away games."

*Morgan Schneiderlin was speaking at the launch of Marathonbet, Manchester United's Official Sports Betting Partner.