Peter Kenyon says Manchester United should never have replaced Jose Mourinho with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Reds struggled to see off Rochdale, 17th in League One, in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, progressing eventually on penaties.

Solskjaer's side were also widely condemned after being humiliated in the Premier League last Sunday, losing 2-0 at West Ham . They now face a tough test against a confident Arsenal side.

Former United chief Kenyon said: “If you put me in charge of a great club and you needed to appoint a manager, my first thought would be José Mourinho.

“He's intelligent, he's relevant and has vast experience. He isn't outdated. I just think he needs the right club. I'm sure that you'll see Mourinho be a part of a great club again."

He added: “The key is to give him the adequate structure and organisation to make sure he's a part of everything.

“I was the first to express my disappointment when he left United because I think he could have been a part of that great leadership structure.

“No one better than him knows what United represents. José is far from being an irrelevant and outdated manager."