Pep would be better fit for United — Cantona

ERIC CANTONA says he would like to see Pep Guardiola as Manchester United manager and cannot understand why the job was given to Jose Mourinho. This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Cantona’s arrival at United from rivals Leeds. The iconic Frenchman expects Mourinho to add to the two trophies he won in his first season, but believes the Portuguese coach’s brand of football does not fit the ‘identity’ of United in the same way that Guardiola’s would. ‘I just cannot understand why Manchester United takes on a manager who plays in a defensive way,’ said Cantona. ‘The football I played and the football Sir Alex Ferguson played, and Sir Matt Busby before, it was very creative. ‘I prefer the way Guardiola plays and I would prefer to have him as manager of Manchester United — it’s more logical. ‘I love Mourinho as manager, and I said it before he arrived in Manchester. He has a lot of charisma. He won a lot of things and he will win a lot of things. But he is playing in this defensive way which is not the identity of United. I prefer to watch when Barcelona play. I don’t watch Manchester City because it’s Manchester City, but I would love to play for a team managed by Guardiola!’ Mourinho defended United’s style of play ahead of today’s game at home to Brighton. ‘I don’t know who is more ambitious than us,’ he said, pointing out that United are the second highest scorers in the Premier League behind City.