Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Benni McCarthy says Portuguese coach is 'perfect' candidate

Jose Mourinho is the "perfect" candidate to replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager, according to Benni McCarthy. The 38-year-old South African worked with Mourinho during his time at Porto and thinks he is the ideal person to take charge at Old Trafford.

It was reported recently that Mourinho has held talks with United officials about becoming the club's next manager. McCarthy thinks the Portuguese coach is one of few men in world football that is capable of getting the better of Pep Guardiola, who is set to take charge at Manchester City next season.

"Mourinho is one of those people who knows how to beat Guardiola's tactics," he told the BBC. "When he was at Real Madrid, he beat him a couple of times. At Inter Milan, he also had success against him."

McCarthy said United are currently ill-equipped to cope with a Guardiola-led City side. But with Mourinho in charge at Old Trafford, he thinks United could soon return to their former glories.

"At the moment, I can't see anyone taking on Pep and his tactics at Manchester City. But Mourinho at United, he would have the resources, the players and the financial backing to beat Guardiola," he said of Mourinho's potential appointment at United.