Waddle: Rafa is the Man to replace Jose

FORMER Newcastle United star Chris Waddle feels Rafa Benitez would be an ideal replacement for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Mourinho’s job is said to be under pressure at Old Trafford and many reports suggested the Portuguese would have been sacked had he lost to the Magpies earlier this month.

Benitez’s long-term future at Newcastle is still unclear, the Spaniard’s current deal running out at the end of this season.

United are without a win this season, although they have faced five of last season’s top six sides in their opening eight games.

A weekend report said United were starting to make contingency plans for a replacement for the Spaniard, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said to be one of the names under consideration.

Given Mourinho’s precarious situation at Old Trafford, and Benitez’s proven pedigree managing Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid, Waddle feels he should be a candidate for the Manchester United job if Mourinho does leave.

He said: “Everybody at United from the players to the fans loves Rafa Benitez and wants him to stay for the long-term but I don’t think anyone would begrudge him leaving in these conditions.

“He is a very talented, ambitious manager who is not getting even close to what he wants from Mike Ashley and there are only so many times you can ignore the approaches from other clubs with looser purse strings.

“Rafa Benitez should be a candidate to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

“He is good enough and has that big-club experience having won trophies around Europe.

“Manchester United might not consider him due to his history with Liverpool but there is no doubt in my mind he would be a good choice.

“There will come a point where Benitez has to leave Newcastle to fulfil his own ambitions.”