Cantona: Mourinho wrong man for United

Manchester United’s former talismanic forward Eric Cantona believes Jose Mourinho is the wrong man to take the club forward, claiming Pep Guardiola “is in Manchester, but at the wrong one”.

City-bound Guardiola had been linked with a switch to Old Trafford but confirmed his intentions to take over at the Etihad in February after three years with Bayern Munich.

“I love Jose Mourinho, but in terms of the type of football he plays I don’t think he is Manchester United,” Cantona told the Guardian.

“He can win with Manchester United. But do they expect that type of football, even if they win? I don’t think so.”

The Frenchman added: “Guardiola was the one to take it. He is the spiritual son of Johan Cruyff. I would have loved to have seen Guardiola in Manchester (United).

“He is the only one to change Manchester. He is in Manchester, but at the wrong one.”

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

Read also: Man United to give Mourinho £200M transfer kitty

Mourinho is closing in on a deal to become United manager as executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and agent Jorge Mendes are set to continue negotiations on Wednesday.

It’s understood vice-chairman Woodward held talks with Mourinho’s agent Mendes on Tuesday, with his appointment appearing a case of when rather than if.

Louis van Gaal’s turbulent two-year ,reign was brought to an end on Monday, just two days after leading the Red Devils to their first major trophy of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

United confirmed they planned to announce Van Gaal’s successor “soon” in the Monday statement confirming the widely-expected change in management.

Cantona suggested he is open to one day returning to Old Trafford as manager, but it is the future of former team-mate Ryan Giggs that is of serious interest right now.

The position of United’s most decorated player is uncertain, with reports suggesting the former winger is considering ending his near 29-year association with the club.

It’s understood Giggs has an offer to stay on at United, although it is unclear what that role would be having been assistant to Van Gaal.

Robbie Savage, who came through United’s academy with Giggs and later played alongside him for Wales, believes the player with more appearances for the Red Devils than any other has been harshly treated.

“If I was Giggsy now I would look to start my career as a manager somewhere else,” Savage said.

 

“If Giggsy can go out and make his own decisions now, do well somewhere, he can come back and the United job will be his.”

No confirmation on the fate of the rest of Van Gaal’s backroom team has yet been made, but it has been reported that assistant coaches ,and Frans Hoek, as well as performance analyst Max Reckers, have left.

They all remain listed on United’s website, though, as do training physiologist Jos van Dijk and assistant coach Marcel Bout, who specialises in opposition scouting.

 

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now