The arrivals of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin were great bits of business by Man Utd this summer, but the signings have left Reds boss Louis van Gaal with an abundance of central midfield options.

But who will the Dutchman line up with against Spurs in United’s season opener on Saturday.

Last season United were very active at the end of the transfer window, but this year it has been quite the opposite.

With four major signings so far, and with time to go in the window one or two more could be coming through the Old Trafford doors.

But an area where United are well stocked is in central midfield, the arrivals of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin have added some really quality and class to United’s midfield.

But deciding which two or three midfielders  will form the midfield against Spurs won’t be an easy task for van Gaal.

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The new signings will be vying for three spots, with van Gaal likely to play a 4-3-3 formation against the Londoners. They will have to compete with Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind for three positions.

Against Barcelona in pre-season, van Gaal gave a big indicator to the men who would be making up his midfield or the rest of his team in that game, stating that those playing “60 minutes or more” are likely to play against Spurs.

Schweinsteiger was missing in that game due to an injury so, with that in mind, the German may well be eased into Premier League action and therefore is unlikely to be playing against Spurs from the start.

And given that he has played just 37 games in two seasons, it would be a well advised decision to rest the 30-year-old.

The likely midfield pairing will be Schneiderlin and Carrick, with fellow new recruit Memphis Depay positioned just in front in an attacking midfield role in support of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Ashley Young.

Both Carrick and Schneiderlin are similar players of course, both good passers and good at breaking up the play. However, the England’s man position is expected to come under the most threat at Old Trafford.

At 34-years-old, it is understandably so, especially considering the fact that the former Spurs midfielder has struggled with injuries in recent years.

However, Carrick was still impressive last season. When he played, United they won more often than not, and his calming presence was sorely missed with every game he missed. This is highlighted by one loss in the 16 games Carrick started, compared to seven in 22 that he didn’t. Given that record, it is hard to argue that Carrick shouldn’t be in the team.

As already mentioned, Schneiderlin is similar to Carrick. However, the Frenchman has far more energy than Carrick and if he is paired with the Englishman, Schneiderlin will be tasked with providing the pressing impetus in the United team.

Though you could say there is no reason why van Gaal couldn’t play Schweinsteger, Carrick and Schneiderlin in the same midfield. Schweinsteiger is the more attacking, highlighted by the five goals and four assists in 20 games last season, and he could be deployed further forward, with Carrick sitting and Schneiderlin providing the energy and pressing in the midfield.

That triumvirate has a more defensive look to it and could be used against stronger teams when needed. But if there was a fear of a lack of attacking threat from such a midfield, that is where the attacking minded Ander Herrera comes in. The Spaniard is a good midfield runner and scored six goals in a promising debut season for United.

Blind looks likely to be played in defence this season and Fellaini is more preferred in an advanced role by van Gaal, so it looks more like three from four.

Van Gaal does indeed appear to have many options in his midfield as the Reds take on Spurs on Saturday, and whatever three he goes with who knows? But we know the midfield has far more of a balanced look about it now.

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