Jose: I can be next Man United manager

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has, in true style, stirred the pot ahead of his team's Champions League second round return leg against Manchester United on Wednesday by saying he could take over as manager at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson finally decides to retire.

The Portuguese memorably guided Porto to a two-legged victory over United at the same stage in 2004, when a 1-1 draw in Manchester was enough to see his side through.

Mourinho also claimed he could be the next United boss, but he also believes the race for the Premier League title would be a tighter affair if he was still managing in England.

"If you want me to rule out ever being Manchester United manager I can't," he told the News of the World.

"Special clubs need special managers so in theory it could work, but nobody knows what the future is in football.

"The England national team wanted me as coach and that is the biggest job in England, so I am sure when Sir Alex retires they will look at the best managers in the world and I certainly fall into the category."

Mourinho believes things would be different on the domestic scene for Manchester United if he wasn't sacked as Chelsea boss in September 2007.

He added: "Yes, Manchester United are the best team in England but you have to ask how good has the Premier League been since I left?

"Manchester United have won it with ease since I have gone because no manager has put a team together that can rival them.

"But my teams always rival Manchester United and Sir Alex knows that.

"They are a great team but if I was at a top club in England I think the title race might have been a lot closer this year."

Mourinho also had some disparaging words for the teams trailing in United's wake, adding he would be "embarrassed" to be in their current position.

"Chelsea have had no stability, Arsenal are nowhere and Liverpool threatened but I don't think anybody really thought they were ever going to win it," he said.

"I would not allow a team of mine to be so far behind. It is embarrassing in March.

"Manchester United have a great squad but are their players really that much better than Chelsea's or Liverpool's? I don't think so.

"So something else must be the problem and somebody has to take responsibility for that.

"I beat Manchester United with Chelsea and Porto. Now I am ready to beat them with Inter.

"I feel confident that if I had been at one of the big four clubs I would be closer or maybe even above Manchester United."