Jose Mourinho would be 'fantastic' for Man Utd - Carlo Ancelotti

Jose Mourinho would be a "fantastic signing" if he becomes Manchester United manager, says Carlo Ancelotti.

United are in talks with the Portuguese coach, 54, to replace Dutchman Louis van Gaal, who was sacked on Monday.

"In the last year, Manchester United has lost its identity," Ancelotti, 56, told BBC Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas.

Meanwhile, Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona says new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would have been a better fit for United than Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho would be 'fantastic' for Man Utd - Carlo Ancelotti

City confirmed in February that Guardiola would take over this summer.

"I would have loved to have seen Guardiola at Manchester United. He is in Manchester, but at the wrong one," Cantona told the Guardian on his 50th birthday.

"Guardiola was the one to take. He is the spiritual son of Johan Cruyff. He is the only one to change Manchester United.

"I love Jose Mourinho, but in terms of the type of football he plays, I don't think he is Manchester United."

Cantona also said he loves Mourinho's "personality, passion and humour" but does not think he plays the type of football that Manchester United fans will love.

Eric Cantona won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups under Sir Alex Ferguson

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes flew into London on Tuesday morning and is leading discussions with the club.

An official announcement on Mourinho taking over from Van Gaal - who won the FA Cup in his last game - is expected this week.

If he is confirmed in the role, he will renew his rivalry with Guardiola, who was Barcelona boss when Mourinho was in charge at Real Madrid.

Speaking to former England midfielder Jenas for the BBC's Football Focus, former Chelsea manager Ancelotti said: "Mourinho will be a fantastic signing for United to improve and be better than the last two years.

"The job of Van Gaal was not easy, he had to rebuild the team.

"Sir Alex Ferguson and a lot of the players left so they have to rebuild the identity and the personality of the team. It takes time. In football, you need time to build something."