Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand insists Jose Mourinho has what it takes to succeed Alex Ferguson as the Red Devils' manager, in an interview due out this Thursday.

Mourinho, who guided United's rivals Chelsea to two English Premier League titles, is the manager of Italian champions Inter, who face Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16.

The two sides played out a goalless draw in the first leg in Milan last Tuesday and play the second leg at Old Trafford on March 11.

"There are very few people who could take over," Ferdinand told GQ magazine.

"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 would be able to build on Ferguson's legacy.

"I would hate for anyone to take this the wrong way but I don't see him here," the World Cup winner told The Mail on Sunday newspaper.

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

And fellow club hero Bryan Robson added: "Attacking football is a vital part of the club's heritage.

"For me, Jose Mourinho is too cautious in his approach to the game to be manager."

Ferdinand gave an insight into the kind of personality required for the job as he detailed Ferguson's notorious "hairdryer" treatment - giving players a full-on verbal roasting.

"It's not pretty, it's unbelievable," he said.

"If you talk back to him, he just keeps going louder and louder until you shut up.

"The worst we've seen is after we behaved badly on a night out. Then, the fireworks explode and he goes bananas. Everyone's heads are on the floor, trying not to catch his eye.

"And he's right to do it and we all know that if we do it again, we'll be out the door.

"He's a winner, full stop."