London, Feb 12 (IANS): Former South African striker Benni McCarthy believes that Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho is the "perfect man" to help English football club Manchester United to compete with rivals Manchester City under Spaniard Pep Guardiola next season.

McCarthy, 38, who played under Mourinho at Portuguese club FC Porto, assured that the Portuguese coach "is one of those people who knows how to beat Guardiola's tactics," reports Efe.

"When he was at Real Madrid, he beat him a couple of times. At Inter Milan, he also had success against him and at the moment, I can't see anyone taking on Pep and his tactics at Manchester City," he said on Thursday.

"But Mourinho at United, he would have the resources, the players and the financial backing to beat Guardiola," said the South African.

The Catalan coach, still at German giants Bayern Munich, was announced on February 1 as the new coach of the City starting next season, replacing Manuel Pellegrini.

On the other side of the city of Manchester, there is speculation about the possible arrival of Mourinho at United by the end of the season to replace the controversial Louis van Gaal.