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Cantona 'would love' to see Guardiola managing Manchester United

OLI SCARFF / AFP / Getty

Eric Cantona appreciates the winning mentality Jose Mourinho brings to the Manchester United helm, but admitted he'd rather have Pep Guardiola in charge.

The former French striker believes the Manchester City manager's philosophy more closely aligns with the attacking traditions of United than what the current man offers the prestigious post.

Cantona told BBC Radio Four's Today programme that Mourinho is "a winner who will continue to win," but added "he is playing in this defensive way, which is not the identity of Manchester United."

The Red Devils have been devastating on the counter-attack at times this term. Four goals were scored in a match for the fifth time this season last weekend, and with Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and others, Mourinho is clearly assembling an exciting collective of players.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

But King Eric isn't satisfied.

"I cannot understand why United would take a manager who plays in a defensive way. I love Mourinho, but I prefer to watch Barcelona play," Cantona continued.

"I prefer the way Guardiola plays, and I would prefer him as manager of Manchester United, it's more logical. I don't watch Man City because it's Man City but I would love to watch the team managed by Guardiola."

The 175th edition of the Manchester derby will be staged at Old Trafford on Dec. 12. Ahead of the 13th round of Premier League fixtures this weekend, City holds an eight-point buffer over United.

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