Incoming Manchester United boss Mauricio Pochettino is likely to axe Harry Maguire in one of his first moves at Old Trafford, but Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo could thrive under his guidance, according to Morgan Schneiderlin.

Pochettino has reached an agreement to replace Michael Carrick as Man Utd head coach. United are set to activate the $10million (£7.5m) release clause in Pochettino’s contract with U.S. Soccer.

The Argentine will remain in charge of the USMNT for their double-header against Haiti before taking over at Old Trafford.

Pochettino will have a baptism of fire at United, as his first game will be a trip to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

There is already plenty of speculation about which players United could sign for Pochettino, and which players will be sold.

Schneiderlin, who played under Pochettino at Southampton prior to joining United, has now predicted the players who will struggle and those who will ‘shine’ under the coach.

“First, Mauricio Pochettino will need to adapt to the players he has until January,” Schneiderlin said (via Metro).

“And then after that, yes, I think he will need legs if he sees in training sessions that certain players don’t have the legs to do it.

“I think my only question mark is maybe the defensive line. That’s an area that can improve, because in my time, Mauricio always played with a very high line. He demands a lot of running to show for the ball from the goalkeeper.

“When the opposition plays long, he wants the defensive line stepping up very quickly to the halfway line, and you need serious legs for that.

“He’s not a manager who likes to sit back and defend deep in his own defensive third, but in midfield with players like Baleba and Mainoo, I’m sure they will shine under him.

“With Lisandro Martinez, I think he can manage it in a way because he’s more aggressive and has good positioning.

“With Harry Maguire, you can see his best games are when he defends a bit deeper, when he defends the box and has everything in front of him. Defending big spaces is going to be harder for him. But again, maybe Pochettino finds a way to use him and make him important.

“But yes, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, and the other guys, I think they have a real chance to make an impact, because that aggressive style is much more their game.”

Pochettino set to make big Man Utd changes

Martinez and Maguire could both be victims of United’s defensive overhaul next year. Martinez in particular looks set to leave, having publicly criticised director of football Jason Wilcox earlier this season.

But, in Schneiderlin’s view, it could be far better news for Baleba and Mainoo, who will be looking to impress Pochettino.

Baleba arrived from Brighton for £70m in the summer, and he has been tasked with adding dynamism and tenacity to United’s midfield.

However, the Cameroonian will be out for several weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Roma.

Mainoo, meanwhile, was available for just £45m during Ruben Amorim’s time at Old Trafford, but he has returned to the fold under Carrick.

Mainoo will be aiming to build on that by becoming a vital player for Pochettino in the coming months.