Benni McCarthy To Join Manchester United's First Team Coaching Staff, He's A Lifelong Fan

Back in March this year, McCarthy parted company with Amazulu, and has since been linked with roles at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates – two of the biggest clubs in his native country.

The former striker lived in Manchester during his time at Ewood Park and struck up a bond with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He was, in his own words, "heartbroken" to score twice – and Mourinho wasn't happy about it.

“So I was heartbroken to score twice. My dream was to score once at Old Trafford, not to knock United out of the Champions League.

"I got hammered after the game by Jose Mourinho because I wasn’t very happy. He told me that if I didn’t cheer up then I’d never play in his team again.”

"It was my dream to play in England," he said. "I would have chosen Everton over Real Madrid. Spanish football hadn’t existed in South Africa when I grew up.

"I had options or interest to join Manchester City, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Spurs and Liverpool, as well as Rangers in Scotland.

"When none of them came off for various reasons, I felt I was cursed never to play in England. When Blackburn came in for me, I spoke to Mourinho at Chelsea. Porto refused to sell any players to Mourinho and he advised me, 'Move to England, do well for a season and if you’re still the player I had at Porto, I’ll come and get you.'

"I did well for Blackburn, who got me for just £2.5m. Then they wouldn’t sell me to Chelsea."