Morgan: A Big Season For Me

Morgan Schneiderlin admits he cannot wait for the new season to begin after sensing the “confidence and winning mentality” that Jose Mourinho has brought to Manchester United.

The France international was granted an extended holiday this summer following his participation at Euro 2016 and returned to the Aon Training Complex last Thursday, making his maiden appearance of the new regime during the first half of Saturday’s 5-2 win over Galatasaray.

Although he has only been back for a few days, Schneiderlin is already confident Mourinho can guide the Reds towards success in 2016/17. “I can see a lot of smiles and a lot of enjoyment in the training sessions, which is good,” Morgan told ManUtd.com during an exclusive interview in Gothenburg, Sweden, at the weekend. “The training sessions are sharp and it is very enjoyable. I can feel that confidence and winning mentality which will make us a very good team this season.”

Schneiderlin joined United from Southampton in July 2015 and endured mixed emotions during his first season, as the team finished fifth in the Premier League but lifted the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. Looking forward, Morgan is now determined to impress and improve with a new manager at the helm.

“It is a big season for me,” he said. “Of course there were a lot of things that happened last season, but I am looking forward and this season is going to be very important for me. I am really enjoying every training session, which is good. It is good to have this joy and I can’t wait to start the season.

“I came back training on Thursday and my feeling in the first game against Galatasaray was great, to be honest with you,” Schneiderlin continued. “I felt good, I felt like I could run even more so that is good. The first half was a bit harder than the second half for the team, but it was good to have those 45 minutes under my belt and to keep on working hard. I’m looking forward to the next match now.”

Mourinho is not the only new face at United this summer, of course, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic also at the club following his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain on 1 July. The Swedish striker scored on his maiden outing against Galatasaray and Schneiderlin believes the new no.9 is a massive addition to the squad.

“Zlatan came into the dressing room and he already had an aura,” Morgan said. “He has this thing about him, it is a presence and a stature. He is tall, powerful and, on the training pitch, you can see he has a lot of quality. Of course, this is just his first week back as well so he will continue progressing physically.

"But you can see his touch, his movement and his way of seeing football is brilliant so this season I think he will give us something great.”