Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would help Manchester United overcome Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, according to one of his former players.
Benni McCarthy, who won the UEFA Champions League with Mourinho in 2004 with Porto, says Mourinho, who has been heavily linked with the United job, knows Guardiola well enough to be able to counteract the brilliant Spanish coach.
"Mourinho is one of those people who knows how to beat Guardiola's tactics," McCarthy told the BBC.
"Mourinho at United would have the resources, the players and the financial backing to beat Guardiola."
United too admire Guardiola, but Manchester City stepped in first, pinching the Bayern Munich manager on a three-year contract from next season to replace Manuel Pellegrini.
United manager Louis Van Gaal has a contract at the club that lasts until the end of the 2016-17 season, but has come under pressure this season for a perceived failure to deliver the style of football United's supporters became used to under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The BBC reported last week that United was in talks with Mourinho over a move to Old Trafford in the summer.
But Van Gaal has repeatedly denied the veracity of reports claiming that he will resign from his position as manager.
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