He feels it would make United look 'desperate' to compete with rivals

Jose Mourinho, recently sacked by Chelsea, has been linked with his job

Jose Mourinho should not take over as Manchester United manager if Louis van Gaal is sacked according to Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher.

The Dutchman is under pressure after United's 2-1 defeat by Norwich City at the weekend stretched the club's winless run to six games in all competitions.

However, speaking in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports on Monday Night Football, Carragher warned that a knee-jerk decision to hire Mourinho would make the Red Devils seem 'desperate'.

Jamie Carragher does not believe Jose Mourinho would be a good fit for Manchester United

United manager Louis van Gaal has overseen a six-game winless run in all competitions

Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea earlier this month, is still a hugely respect manager around the world

Mourinho is currently out of work after being sacked by Chelsea earlier this month, but the Portuguese still has achieved enough in his career to be admired by some of world football's elite clubs.

Nevertheless, former Liverpool defender Carragher reflected: 'Is Jose the perfect fit for Manchester United? I'd say no. And the reason being, if I imagine Manchester United as what they've been over the last 50 or 60 years and what they've been about...winning trophies, Jose massively ticks that box; but bringing young players through? No.'

Carragher added: 'Playing exciting, cut throat football, going for every game? He doesn't tick that box either.

'If that is someone that they go for, I think that'll show the fear Manchester United's board have of other teams getting away from them.'

On Sunday, Bayern Munich's accomplished boss Pep Guardiola announced his intention to leave the Bundesliga giants next summer, with United's rivals Manchester City touted as a potential next destination.

Bayern Munich's highly-rated head coach Pep Guardiola has been linked with Manchester City

Norwich winger Robbie Brady tussles for possession with United's Memphis Depay at Carrow Road

And ex-England international Carragher suggested that situation may force United's hand.

He said: 'There'll be that thought of Pep Guardiola maybe going to Manchester City and they'll be thinking we're actually falling behind.

'They'll forget some of the principles that have made the club over the last 50 or 60 years; and they're just that desperate to get to back winning trophies.'