SOCCER: Rio Ferdinand believes Jose Mourinho has the credentials to succeed Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is currently in charge of Inter Milan, United’s opponents in the Champions League last 16, and England defender Ferdinand believes the Portuguese has the type of character necessary to follow in 67-year-old Ferguson’s footsteps.

“There are very few people who could take over,” Ferdinand said in an interview in GQ magazine out this Thursday. “If you’re talking about someone with the ego and personality to do it, then Jose Mourinho is the name that jumps out at you.”

However, United legend Bobby Charlton does not believe Mourinho, who led Chelsea to two Barclays Premier League titles, would be able to extend Ferguson’s Old Trafford legacy.

Charlton told The Mail on Sunday: “I would hate for anyone to take this the wrong way but I don’t see him (Mourinho) here.

“He’s got a talent but maybe if he ever came here the philosophy of youth football might never be the same again.”