Monday 21 December 2015 10:09, UK
Should Manchester United part company with Louis van Gaal and appoint Jose Mourinho as manager?
That was the topic of conversation in the Saturday Night Football studio as special guest Ray Wilkins and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp reacted to Manchester United's defeat to Norwich City.
The Dutchman's future at Old Trafford was plunged into doubt as Alex Neil's Canaries inflicted the Reds' first home defeat of the season with a deserved 2-1 victory on Saturday.
Following the defeat, Van Gaal urged United fans to get behind his side, claiming his philosophy would see the club through their recent downturn.
Mourinho has been linked with the top job at United after he was relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge, following Chelsea's dismal start to their Premier League title defence.
And, asked whether United should replace Van Gaal with Mourinho, former United midfielder Wilkins said: "If you look at Manchester United's league position they are still there or thereabouts, so no is probably the answer.
"However, they are not playing the style of football Manchester United supporters like, there is no two ways about that.
"They have lost against Bournemouth, they've lost against Wolfsburg and they've lost at home to Norwich so for the supporters and the club that is not good enough.
"To exit the Champions League at such an early stage is something they wouldn't have bargained on and their last six results - three draws and three defeats - mean things aren't looking rosy.
"United would have every chance of winning the league if they appointed Jose Mourinho - he is very charismatic.
"A lot of people have been asking if a club like Manchester United need the aggravation he might bring off the field as well as on it but that is Jose, he has been that way since day dot.
"He won't change. The one thing he is, he is a fantastic manager, no two ways about it."
Redknapp, meanwhile, believes the speculation surrounding Van Gaal's future marks a change in the tide at a club which once prided itself on managerial continuity.
Despite this, the Sky Sports pundit believes United will be looking at Mourinho, and other replacements, if they have decided Van Gaal's tenure is up.
"If you would have said to me three or four years ago that Jose Mourinho would ever go anywhere near Manchester United I wouldn't have believed you," Redknapp added.
"This is a club that has always believed in continuity and managers staying for a long time. However, as it stands, Manchester United have just become like every other team.
"They've sacked David Moyes and, if they were to get rid of Louis van Gaal, it's the same as everyone else.
"If they are looking for instant success, and there is a manager like Jose Mourinho available, why wouldn't they look at it?
"Manchester United is a huge brand, and if you bring someone like Jose Mourinho into the football club it lifts the place straight away. He has done it at Chelsea and he has done it everywhere else he's been.
"It is a bit unfair to be talking about a manager who is still in a job, but the question is whether United want to get someone quickly or wait for someone like Pep Guardiola."
