Manchester United fans will never love Jose Mourinho, says Eric Cantona
Manchester United great Eric Cantona has given a lukewarm reception to Jose Mourinho’s expected coronation at Old Trafford, saying supporters will be slow to warm to his style.
Cantona, who won six trophies in five years at United, insists he is a fan of the fiery former Chelsea manager, who is set to be confirmed as Louis van Gaal’s successor this week.
But the Frenchman says he doubts that Reds fans will take Mourinho to their hearts, even if he replicates the success he fostered with the Blues, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Porto in the north-west.
Read more: This is Jose Mourinho's toughest job yet
Cantona’s comments came as another former Chelsea boss, Carlo Ancelotti, became the latest to salute United’s move for the Portuguese, calling the union “a good wedding”.
“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.
“I love his personality, I love the passion he has for the game, his humour. He is very intelligent, he demands 100 per cent of his players. And of course he wins things.
“But I don’t think it’s the type of football that the fans of Manchester United will love, even if they win. He can win with United. But do they expect that type of football, even if they win? I don’t think so.”
Cantona said former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who has agreed to take charge of rivals Manchester City instead, would have been a better choice. “Guardiola was the one to take,” he added.
Ancelotti believes Mourinho’s almost six years’ experience in England, which gleaned three Premier League titles, make him well-suited to fixing a United team that failed to qualify for the Champions League.
“I think it is a good wedding because Mourinho really knows the Premier League well,” the Italian told the Telegraph. “He is one of the best coaches in the world and Manchester United at this moment need someone who can improve what they did in the last two years with Louis van Gaal.”
He added to the BBC: “In the last year, Manchester United has lost its identity. Sir Alex Ferguson and a lot of the players left so they have to rebuild the identity and the personality of the team. It takes time. In football, you need time to build something.”
Mourinho’s move to United edged a step closer on Tuesday when super-agent Jorge Mendes, who represents Mourinho as well as Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of the game’ biggest names, flew to London for talks.
United confirmed the sacking of Van Gaal on Monday, 48 hours after he led them to FA Cup glory against Crystal Palace. The Dutchman is thought to have received a £5m pay-off for the remaining year of his contract.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is tipped to be one of Mourinho’s first targets.