Former Manchester United talent Morgan Schneiderlin will take centre stage when Western Sydney Wanderers host Western United on Sunday in an enticing Isuzu UTE A-League contest.
Wanderers boss Marko Rudan said Schneiderlin would debut and potentially even start against defending champions Western, having only signed with the club on loan from Ligue 1 side Nice last week.
“He’s in good form, his body is in good shape as well,” Rudan told reporters.
“Jet lag is normal, it’s a long way from Europe to Australia but he’s finding his way in that time difference and … acclimatising to our ruthless summers.
“He’s looking good and in contention to not only be in the squad but to start the game.”
Schneiderlin, once a $44million signing for Premier League juggernaut Manchester United back in 2015, could be just what the Wanderers need to steady their season, having won just once in eight games after an impressive run to start the campaign that still sees them sit third on the table.
They had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Central Coast last time out despite having the pick of the chances in a scintillating clash in Gosford.
“It was great to be part of one of the most exciting games this year … we’re doing everything on our side we can to ensure we get our fans coming in droves,” Rudan said.
“That’s what we’re bringing in this week and the addition of Morgan as well to the team has just brightened things up.
“We want to put on a good show once again and stay in that position we’ve been all season.”
Western United regain Serbian marksman Aleksandar Prijovic, a timely inclusion given he’s come up with three goals and two assists in his previous three meetings with the Wanderers.
The reigning champions have had their own recent struggles with one win in five games, but coach John Aloisi pointed to the congested table as motivation for 11th-ranked United to string wins together and be a factor throughout the season.
“We could go just two points behind the Wanderers who had a great start to the season and they’re sitting third, we know how close it is,” he told reporters.
“If we can go on a good run, we know we’ll be in contention come finals time … we know we’re building, we’re getting to the level we need to be at to really compete and make sure we get the points we need to be in the finals.”
