United's recent signings have improved the side, that's for certain.
Schweinsteiger is a good player, of that there's no doubt. He brings with him some issues, he missed a lot of last season injured (and has missed periods of time in the last few seasons with ankle and knee injuries) so there's that to consider, and at 31 only the most blinkered United fan would suggest he isn't on his way down ability wise. It's a short term signing, he next 2, or 3 seasons at most. Van Persie should be a warning for them, 1 really good season followed by 2 mediocre ones, and then sold. As I said, a good signing, but not the world beating signing the media, and United fans, would have you believe.
Darmian, aside from Football Manager I know very little about this guy. Having said that, at 25 he's a good age, and you don't get 13 caps for the Italian national side without being a player with a fair amount of ability. Right back was a gapping hole in United's side, with Rafael injured/average, Smalling/Jones better served at centre half (damning with faint praise!), and Valencia a winger making do as a wing back, so they've strengthened the starting lineup with this one.
Schneiderlin is the one I think is a really good signing however. He ticks a lot of boxes that United needed ticking. Again he's 25 so a fairly young signing, experienced in the Premier League so no issues there and he's a French international so again, good quality footballer. The role he plays is one United's midfield was lacking, some able to drive from box to box, with energy. Plus he's homegrown, which is always a bonus with the current rules. He's not world class, but he's a very good player.
Depay is young and impressive, he's a winger though, and Van Gaal seems to be suggesting he'll play him as a striker. A mistake if he does, as he's not really suited to the role if you ask me.
There are still issues with United's squad. De Gea won them more points than anyone else last season, and it'd be a major shock if he didn't leave for Real before the transfer window closes, so that's going to be a loss. They'll need a top quality replacement (rumours of Lloris diminishing, Oblak of Atletico seems the new favourite, although I wouldn't put it past Van Gaal to promote Valdes to number one, which for me would be a big error). With Falcao left, Van Persie also going and Hernandez clearly unwanted United are very, very short up top. Rooney is still there, and they'll no doubt look to involve Wilson a bit more, but they need to buy 2 strikers (although Van Gaal will say they need 1 as Depay factors as a striker for him). You can't go into the season with just 3 options, especially when one is an unproven youth team graduate. Obviously there's still the issues around their defence, with the centre halves being a fairly uninspiring bunch (Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Blackett, McNair) but I can't see them buying here. They've got the numbers, and clearly feel they'll do, but for me not one of them is a true star defender.
What their signings are doing is cementing a top 4 spot, rather than building a title challenge which, as I've said before, is because the Glazers are more than happy with 4th and the money it brings in, spending the huge sums needed to win the league isn't something they are all that interested in. The financial rewards don't measure up with the financial cost.
