Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: David Beckham urges former Chelsea manager to return to Premier League

The former England captain also believes that Louis van Gaal should only be judged at the end of the season

Former Manchester United and England midfielder David Beckham (Getty Images)

David Beckham has revealed that he hopes Jose Mourinho will return to English football soon, amid speculation that the Portuguese coach is in line to become the next Manchester United manager.

Mourinho, who was dismissed by reigning Premier League champions Chelsea last December, is expected to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford before the start of next season.

Although he stopped short of linking the 53-year-old with Old Trafford, Beckham admitted he would like to see Mourinho return to England’s top flight.

“I hope [Mourinho] comes back to the Premier League very soon,” the former England captain told Talksport. “We need characters like that in the game.”

Beckham, who played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford between 1992 and 2003, also lent his backing to the under-pressure Van Gaal and urged United supporters to wait until the end of the season to pass judgement on the Dutchman.

“He [Van Gaal] is manager of Manchester United so there is always going to be speculation, always going to be criticism,” said Beckham.

“What is the most important thing is the end of the season and let's see what happens then.

“It's been a disappointing season so far because of performances and the way we have played in certain games but any silverware at the end of the year or any good run in any competition is successful.”

The 40-year-old, who retired from football in 2013 following a spell with Paris Saint-Germain, cited the departure of his former manager, as well as other Old Trafford key figures, as the reason behind the club’s current slump.

“As a fan I always hoped we wouldn't go through a slump but it was inevitable,” Beckham said. “It is not just about the manager.

“When he left that was always going to be a massive thing. But you had also lost players like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs. Top players, such great players throughout the team.

“(Chief executive) David Gill, he stepped away from Manchester United too. They are all integral parts of the club.

"Manchester United is Manchester United. Doesn't matter whether you love or hate them. They are one of the biggest clubs, if not the biggest club in the world and you have to keep that reputation.

"Only way you can keep that reputation is by winning trophies.”