David Beckham, a former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder says he is a huge fan of Jose Mourinho and believes the English public are too.

The Portuguese tactician has been out of work since leaving Chelsea last summer but is widely expected to be appointed Louis van Gaal's successor at Old Trafford later this week.

LvG was sacked as he didn’t meet expectations at the club in his two year tenure. He was able to lift the club back to the top four after his first season but Manchester United didn’t make it past the group stage and won’t get Champions League football this coming season.

The 53-year-old former Real Madrid manager is one of the game's most successful managers, having won the Champions League with two different clubs and lifted the Premier League title on three occasions. With him installed as manager, United will go from being rank outsiders on the StanJames Champions league qualification betting market, to being one of the favourites.

However, Mourinho has proven to be a controversial figure throughout his career and has not always left his former clubs in amicable fashion. Beckham is adamant the former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach has struck a chord with football fans on these shores.

"Unfortunately this is how football is," the ex-England captain said of Van Gaal's dismissal despite winning the FA Cup for The Red Devils last week with the victory over Crystal Palace. "But there's no disputing Jose is one of the best managers in football. I love Jose. I think he's an incredible manager, a great person, and he's passionate about the game. The English public love him. The fans love seeing him on the sideline, they love his character," Beckham added.

Mourinho is set to become United's third manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 and will be expected to reclaim the Red Devils' place amongst the elite in European football.