Van Gaal is pursuing a policy of mixing youth with experience after bringing in emerging talents like Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial. And he feels that Schweinsteiger is exerting the right influence on them. "He was my former captain with Philipp Lahm [at Bayern] so I think he is very useful off the pitch," he said in a news conference. "And you can see it already now. He has already been accepted as a leading player and that is why also we have bought him from Bayern Munich. "I believe in a mixture between youth and older players and he is an example for the young players. I am very happy with him." Van Gaal bought midfielders Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin in the summer and believes they are reasons why United have improved since last season. "We have made progressions in maturity of the team and the balance of the team," he said. "That also is why Bastian Schweinsteiger is here but also Schneiderlin. They give more composure to the team. We have improved that when we have to compare with the team of last year." Schweinsteiger said he has settled in quickly at United, adding: "First of all, the people at the club are friendly and of course of my teammates made it easy for me. I know the manager and the staff. "Okay, no one really speaks German but that was not a problem for me. I am at an age where you can learn and handle it. I feel very comfortable here and especially when I play at Old Trafford."
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