Schneiderlin backs Mount to thrive under Pochettino at struggling Manchester United

Morgan Schneiderlin has identified Mason Mount as the Manchester United player best placed to benefit from Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at Old Trafford, with the Argentine set to be confirmed as Michael Carrick’s successor after Thursday’s dismissal.

United have reportedly agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Pochettino, paying around £7 million in compensation to release him from his role with the United States national team. He inherits a side sitting 18th in the Premier League.

Schneiderlin, who played the best football of his career under Pochettino at Southampton, drew directly on that experience when assessing which United players would adapt quickest to the new regime.

“Mason Mount is definitely that type of player and profile that Mauricio Pochettino likes very much,” Schneiderlin said. “I think he will do great under him. He loves players who don’t have big egos, who work hard, and have quality on the ball. They can really develop under him.”

Mount, 27, has endured a difficult spell since joining United from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 — the same window Pochettino arrived at Stamford Bridge. Injuries and managerial instability have limited his impact, and he was restricted to a 25-minute substitute appearance in last Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa. Pochettino’s appointment now offers him a genuine reset.

Schneiderlin also highlighted Youri Tielemans, who joined United from Aston Villa for £35 million in the summer, as another midfielder capable of flourishing under the Argentine. He pointed to the complementary partnership he himself formed with Victor Wanyama under Pochettino on the south coast as a template Pochettino could replicate.

“Youri Tielemans is someone who also has legs and great quality on the ball and so he gives you different options, and of course, look at my partnership with Victor Wanyama,” Schneiderlin added.

The former France international was keen to push back against the idea that Pochettino simply demands relentless pressing from every player. At Southampton, Wanyama provided the defensive anchor while Schneiderlin drove forward — a dynamic that suggests Pochettino could pair deeper ball-winners such as Carlos Baleba with progressive operators like Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes, or Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford.

Pochettino’s first major test will come quickly, with United travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool on 22 November.