Manchester United legend Bryan Robson pays outrageous compliment to managerial contender Ryan Giggs

This is some mighty praise indeed.

Jose Mourinho might be the favourite to sit in the Manchester United dugout next season, Mauricio Pochettino is a new name in the frame, and current boss Louis van Gaal is still under contract at the club, but if what Bryan Robson says is true then all three should be passed over for the Old Trafford hotseat. Former captain Robson believes fellow Red Devils hero Ryan Giggs, currently Van Gaal's assistant manager, is the man to succeed the Dutchman, hailing the Welsh wizard as the club's very own Pep Guardiola and insisting that the softly-spoken 42-year-old can lead United back to the top of the English game.

'Ryan really can be the Guardiola of United, I am sure of it,' Robson is quoted in the The Sun. 'Yes, he's a quiet lad but that should make no difference. He has always been a deep thinker on the game. He's worked hard to get to this point.

"They talk about Guardiola being intelligent and having a great football brain. Ryan is no different. He just needs the chance to prove what he can do once Van Gaal goes."

Robson also pleaded with United chiefs to think through any managerial switch and follow the long-term plan to install Giggs rather than overreacting to the appointment of Guardiola at derby rivals Manchester City.

"There should be no knee-jerk reaction, no panic. Guardiola has a great record but United should not be reacting to what happens at City. United should carry on what was started when Van Gaal arrived.

"It was always said that during Van Gaal's time as manager Ryan would learn under him, get his pro-licence and be ready for the job. That should still be the case.

"People say Ryan hasn't got the experience. But he watched how Sir Alex Ferguson worked for 26 years and he's watching Van Gaal go about things now. He represents United's soul. He has been at the club since he was 13 and knows what is expected.'