Five Manchester United stars who Mauricio Pochettino must now build around – not Bruno Fernandes

Mauricio Pochettino’s long-awaited move to Manchester United has finally come to fruition as the fallen Premier League giants are perhaps at their lowest ebb.

With Man Utd in the Premier League relegation zone in November, Pochettino is joining under far from ideal circumstances, but the club’s increased desperation should ensure he is given much more influence over transfers, similar to Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur.

Whether this actually happens is another matter, but a clear reset is required in the coming months to stop the rot at Old Trafford.

There will inevitably be plenty of incomings and outgoings in the coming months as Man Utd turn their attention to fixing their defence (a couple of years later than they should have), while upgrades are still required in other areas after recent botched transfer windows.

But, thankfully for Pochettino, at least five current Man Utd stars are already in the building for him to build around…

Leny Yoro
It seemed like Man Utd had pulled off a huge coup when they fended off competition from Real Madrid and others to sign Yoro, but it is still unclear whether he will reach his full potential at Old Trafford.

Now in his third season at Man Utd, he should be a mainstay in the first XI, though he has not done enough to earn that mantle as of yet.

His youthful naivety has shone through far too often, though it also feels that he has been dragged down by being part of one of the Premier League’s poorest defences.

Yoro, who recently earned international recognition for France, has shown in flashes that he could eventually become one of Europe’s leading centre-backs, and he should thrive in a stable backline with a long run of games to build confidence.

And with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez surely on the exit ramp, it is now Yoro’s time to step up and become first choice.

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Carlos Baleba
The former Brighton man was certainly the most eye-catching of Man Utd’s midfield recruits in the summer, and the club would surely be in a better place if he were fully fit when he arrived.

As it turns out, Baleba was dealing with an ankle injury when he joined, and just as he was building his sharpness, he has now been ruled out for a few more weeks with a hamstring issue.

This will be more frustrating for the player than anyone else, but it is also a huge blow for Man Utd, particularly because Baleba looks the most obvious fix for a midfield that has not functioned properly since Casemiro left in the summer.

Man Utd may not see the best of Baleba until the New Year, but he and academy product Kobbie Mainoo should provide a nice blend of defensive stability and creative output once they get a run of games together.

Bryan Mbeumo
Man Utd have set themselves up for failure with how they have operated in the transfer market in recent years, though the actual players they acquired for last summer’s attack rebuild have made a positive impact.

This is mainly the case with ex-Brentford standout Mbeumo, who has been Man Utd’s second-best player behind captain Bruno Fernandes since the start of last season.

Mbeumo’s goal and assist numbers have been strong, but he has gone against the grain by working extremely hard, leading Man Utd’s total distance covered metric and ranking highly in each running stat this season.

Whether as a right winger or striker, Mbeumo will remain one of the first names on Man Utd’s teamsheet once Pochettino arrives.

READ MORE: Man Utd squad trust ranked for Mauricio Pochettino from Baleba to Rashford

Matheus Cunha
Mbeumo has outshone Cunha, but the Brazilian maverick is far down Man Utd’s list of problems, and his sub-par form this season has been a consequence of him doing a job for his struggling side as a makeshift striker.

Cunha showed against AS Roma what he can do when he is played in his best position, and he should be among the loudest clamourers for Benjamin Sesko’s return to fitness and/or the signing of a second proper striker in January.

Many said when Cunha joined Man Utd that he was a United-calibre player: his desire far exceeds that of most of his teammates; and he can also produce moments of magic in front of goal.

Man Utd are at a stage where they should be phasing out Fernandes because of his recent decline, age and attitude that does more harm than good, with a summer exit feeling like the right step for all parties.

Cunha has the right personality and quality to fill the captain’s shoes as a No.10 or on the left, while Youri Tielemans should prove his worth in a more advanced role through the middle where he can best showcase himself.

Benjamin Sesko
Club legend Teddy Sheringham recently said that Man Utd would not be in the relegation zone were Sesko fit and available for most of their games this season.

With United’s incredibly fragile defence, United’s main issue would remain even with Sesko, but it is fair to say that the £74m striker has been a big miss.

After a slow start, Sesko grew into his debut season and finished with a respectable tally of eleven Premier League goals. He has also taken that form into this season, albeit mainly as an impact player before his injury.

His absence has harmed those around him and underlined why Man Utd must sign a striker in January to provide cover, though Sesko has shown enough to suggest he can be the high-level forward the Red Devils have craved for years.

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