Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United would be moving away from their traditions were they to appoint Jose Mourinho as the club's new manager.

The Portuguese boss, who was sacked by Chelsea last week, is thought to be the leading contender to take charge at Old Trafford should United decide to part company with the supposedly under-pressure Louis van Gaal.

However, despite the fact that Mourinho has guided every club that he has managed to trophies, Carragher does not believe that the 52-year-old would be an appointment in keeping with United's history.

Instead, the ex-Liverpool defender has said that turning to Mourinho would show that the Red Devils are fearful of falling too far behind their rivals,

"Is Jose the perfect for United? I'd say no. If I imagine Manchester United over the last 50, 60 years and what they're about - winning trophies, Jose massively ticks that box," he told Sky Sports News. "Bringing young players through? No. Playing exciting football, cut-throat football and going for every game - he doesn't tick that box either.

"If that is someone they go for, I think that will show the fear the Manchester United board, maybe even some of the supporters who were chanting his name at the weekend, have of the other teams getting away from them.

"Also the fact of Pep Guardiola maybe going to Manchester City. They're thinking 'we're actually falling behind here'. So they're actually going to forget some of their principals that has made the club what they are over the last 50, 60 years and they're that desperate to get back to winning trophies."

A report in Spain earlier today claimed that Mourinho had agreed a five-year deal to become United's next manager.