Jose Mourinho is the man to revive Manchester United because he will bring confidence to the whole club, according to former Porto and Barcelona star Deco.
"I think he will change them a lot," Deco told Squawka. "United need to be back at a high level and Mourinho is the man to do that.
Louis van Gaal goes into Thursday's Europa League clash with FC Midtjylland at Old Trafford knowing that failure to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit will only increase the speculation surrounding his future as Manchester United manager, with United lying six points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League.
Earlier this month sources told ESPN FC that Mourinho is increasingly confident he will be United manager next season, and asked in Singapore this week whether he will take over at Old Trafford, the Portuguese replied: "That's the one million dollar question."
Mourinho left Chelsea in acrimonious circumstances for the second time in December, having presided over a disastrous Premier League title defence and with what technical director Michael Emenalo described as "palpable discord" that had developed between the management and players.
But Deco -- who rose to prominence as the creative hub of Mourinho's Champions League-winning Porto team before going on to play for Barcelona and Chelsea -- believes his former manager is just what United need to arrest their slump.
"He will bring their confidence again, for the players, for the fans, for the people," Deco said. You cannot win something without it."