Over recent weeks, Manchester United ambassadors like Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Bryan Robson and Nemanja Vidic, have all spoken out about why Ryan Giggs should replace Louis van Gaal, not Jose Mourinho.

With Sir Alex Ferguson losing influence behind the scenes following his decision to appoint David Moyes, having Giggs as manager would certainly see him have a greater sway.

However, it wasn’t too long ago, before their ambassadorial roles, that some of these players were singing to a different tune.

“If he was to become Manchester United manager, I think he would be something special,” Cole said in 2009. “The guy has got so much charisma – the Premier League misses him. He has got so much about him. When he talks everyone wants to listen. Regardless what it is, everyone sits up. Jose has the credentials,” said Cole. “He knows how to bring the best out of his players like the current manager. It would be fantastic if he got the job here.”

The following year, Cole reiterated his stance, claiming that Mourinho should be the manager to replace Ferguson.

“I wouldn’t presume for a second to start predicting who United’s next manager will be,” he said. “The Boss could still fancy another five years, in which case he’ll get them. But when he does leave, I think Mourinho is among a tiny number who ticks the boxes as a candidate to replace him. Like him or loathe him, and I like him, Mourinho is a character. He’s won titles in Portugal, England and Italy. He’s a serial winner and that’s the type of person that suits United.”

It’s not just Cole though, but Bryan Robson too, who once claimed Mourinho should be United’s first choice.

“How do you replace Sir Alex Ferguson? It is near enough impossible,” he said in 2012. “But they are going to have to do that and Mourinho is definitely one who would be up at the top of the list. His record speaks for itself.”