Eric Cantona: I love Jose Mourinho… but I don’t think he is Manchester United 

Jose Mourinho is expected to be appointed as Manchester United manager in the next 48 hours – but Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona believes his old club have got the wrong man.

United chief Ed Woodward met Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes on Tuesday to discuss terms over a three-year-contract worth £45million.

However, Cantona believes new Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola – Mourinho’s arch-rival – would have been a better fit for United. 

Eric Cantona has questioned the suitability of Jose Mourinho to the role of managing his former club

The imminent announcement of Mourinho, pictured in London on Tuesday, is considered a formality

‘I would have loved to have seen Guardiola at United,’ said Cantona. ‘He is in Manchester, but at the wrong one.

‘Guardiola was the one to take. He is the spiritual son of Johan Cruyff. He is the only one to change United.

‘I love Mourinho, but in terms of the type of football he plays, I don’t think he is Manchester United.

‘I don’t think it’s the type of football that the fans of United will love, even if they win.’

One man who did welcome Mourinho’s appointment was former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who said on Tuesday night: 'It would be a fantastic wedding. Jose Mourinho needs Manchester United at this moment, and United needs Jose Mourinho.' 

Cantona admits he'd have been more excited by the appointment of new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Cantona knows what it takes to be a successful United manager having spent five years under Alex Ferguson