Former AS Monaco technical director Paul Mitchell is being backed for the Manchester United.

Neil Roberts played with Mitchell at Wigan Athletic and worked at Manchester City.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "He's a no-nonsense grafter.

"First and foremost, you've got to be hardworking; he doesn't suffer fools. I'll be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if he'd been planning this sort of trajectory; even his goal-setting would have been on it. I think for him to potentially get this opportunity at one of the biggest clubs in the world, it is a testament to his sheer determination and his class."

Roberts also said: "If I could compare him, and it's giving him a big accolade, it's putting him on a level with Txiki Begiristain because I worked closely with Txiki when I was at City for a number of years. I worked with Brian Marwood for years. I think I would definitely put Mitch in the bracket of those guys.

"What Txiki has done for City alongside Pep, he does everything with a level of class. He's the best in class; he is the best. A Rolls Royce. He has a personal touch with everyone—new signings, the kitman. Making sure everyone is in it as a team. He is unbelievable at it. I've always been a big advocate of that sort of behaviour, and Txiki took it to another level for me. That is the biggest compliment I can pay Mitch; he's on his way to being somebody as close as Txiki as I have ever seen."