• Champions League

Schmeichel: United don't need Mourinho

ESPN staff
February 12, 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson should not be replaced by Jose Mourinho according to Schmeichel © Getty Images
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Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has rubbished rumours hinting Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is the natural successor to United's Alex Ferguson.

Mourinho and Ferguson will go toe-to-toe when United visit Madrid on Wednesday for the first-leg of the clubs' knock-out Champions League tie, with many predicting the battle to be a pre-cursor to Mourinho's claims on the Old Trafford throne.

But former goalkeeper Schmeichel is unimpressed with the 50-year-old's candidacy, firm in his stance that facets of the Portuguese manager would do the club more harm than good.

"He will not be the successor. I don't think the club would be happy with everything Mourinho brings with him," Schmeichel told El Mundo Deportivo. "He's a great candidate for his qualities as a manager but the club doesn't want all the things that come with him.

"Chelsea, Inter and now Real Madrid - he doesn't last more than three years."

Madrid start as favourites heading into the match at the Bernabeu, home ground advantage and an attacking arsenal headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo enough to sway the balance in Real's favour.

But after opening a 12-point gap at the head of the Premier League with victory over Everton on Sunday, a bemused Schmeichel was confident United could claim a vital first leg win in enemy territory.

"Almost everyone in the world considers Madrid to be favourites - that's strange. We should beat them because we're having a good season," Schmeichel said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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