Morgan Schneiderlin, who played under Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton before later joining Manchester United, believes Mason Mount is ideally suited to the Argentine's coaching style and will flourish once Pochettino takes charge at Old Trafford.

Pochettino is set to be confirmed as the club's new head coach following the dismissal of Michael Carrick on Thursday. Reports indicate Manchester United have agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Pochettino, with the club paying roughly £7 million in compensation to release him from his role with the United States national team.

Mount fits Pochettino's profile

Schneiderlin, speaking via Comeon.com, was emphatic in his assessment of Mount's suitability. "Mason Mount is definitely that type of player and profile that Mauricio Pochettino likes very much," he 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 at Old Trafford since his arrival from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 — the same window that saw Pochettino begin his tenure at Stamford Bridge. Injuries and managerial instability have limited his impact, with his most recent outing restricted to a 25-minute substitute appearance in the chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa last Sunday. Pochettino's appointment represents a timely chance for Mount to rebuild his standing at the club.

Tielemans and the Wanyama blueprint

Schneiderlin also identified Youri Tielemans as a midfielder who could thrive under the new manager. Tielemans joined Manchester United from Aston Villa in a £35 million summer deal, and Schneiderlin drew parallels between the Belgian and the complementary midfield partnership he formed with Victor Wanyama under Pochettino on the south coast.

"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 said.

At Southampton, Wanyama anchored the midfield as the deeper, physical presence while Schneiderlin pushed forward — a dynamic Schneiderlin believes Pochettino can replicate at Manchester United by pairing ball-winners such as Carlos Baleba alongside progressive distributors like Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes, or Kobbie Mainoo.

"Victor was more of a midfielder who sat a bit deeper and was very strong physically," Schneiderlin explained. "Pochettino doesn't just need players with huge engines who run, run, run. He knows how to adapt to the specific characteristics of his players."

Immediate test at Anfield

Pochettino will inherit a side sitting 18th in the Premier League, with a daunting trip to face Liverpool on November 22nd coming just four days after his expected arrival in Manchester. With minimal preparation time, stabilising a leaky defence will be the new head coach's first priority — but Schneiderlin's verdict suggests Mount's energy and tactical versatility could prove central to the revival.