Jose Mourinho "could save" Manchester United when appointed as manager, says former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.
Just two days after winning the FA Cup Louis van Gaal was sacked ending a two-year spell in charge.
Mourinho's appointment is expected to be confirmed later on Tuesday.
Van Gaal, 64, leaves two years into a three-year contract believed to worth $13 million a year.
It's time to say goodbye to Manchester United for Louis van Gaal. Photo: Photosport
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by the Blues in December.
He won three league titles in his two spells at Stamford Bridge, as well as guiding Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League victories in 2004 and 2010 respectively.
He was previously linked with the Old Trafford post when Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, but the club appointed David Moyes instead.
Mourinho was Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona during the 1990's.
Jose Mourinho could 'save' Manchester United says Schmeichel. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Schmeichel said the club had "moved a little bit backwards in terms of its philosophy and traditions".
Goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel won the 1999 Champions League in his last game for the club.
He also won five Premier League titles and three FA Cups
"Mourinho is not an easy call to make for the owners and leaders because if he was the right man, he would have been picked before, that was the obvious choice," Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He has fallen out with a director of football at a club, a president, a team doctor. He has done things that are not in the way Manchester United wants the football club to run.
"All these issues would have been brought up and I am sure it will have been run by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton. Without them saying 'yes' to him, it would not happen. Therefore if he comes in he is a good choice.
"He will be prepared and ready to do it but he has to go back to the values of the football club - a very strong team consisting of exciting players which are creating chances and scoring goals. All that has been missing.
"Now they have a guy that is supposed to be the biggest manager in the world, the one that really could save Manchester United. It has been a brave decision but one that is long overdue," said Schmeichel.
-BBC
