'Man U lacks identity & it hurts me, I hope they can be special again under Jose Mourinho'- Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Man U's imminent appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager, saying it hurts him to see a club he has so much love for, fall so drastically since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Ronaldo, who won his first Ballon D'or title at Manchester United where he played for six years, says the club in the last 3 years has lost it's identity and hopes Mourinho can bring them back to glorious days.

Speaking to Spanish programme 'Jugones', with quotes published by The Sun, he said: 'He's already signed hasn't he? I think it's good. If it's something United wanted, I think it's good.

'I hope Manchester United get back to being what they were because it's an impressive club but in the last years they lacked an identity a bit.And it hurts me seeing United like that because it's a club I carry in my heart. I wish Mourinho can restore them back to the top.'

Cristiano Ronaldo had a frosty relationship with Jose Mourinho towards the end of Mourinho's Real Madrid career and was angered by his countryman's decision to drop Pepe and Iker Casillas from the starting 11, but now says all that is in the past, saying his greatest quality is not holding grudges against anyone.

'Without any problems I would embrace him. One of my greatest qualities is to not hold grudges at anyone regardless of the damage they may have done to me,' he added.

'I'm not saying he did, I'm saying in general. There were some problems like in life, like you have problems with your wife.'

The three-time Ballon d'Or winner also shot down rumours that he could leave Real Madrid in the near future and committed his long-term future to the Spanish club. 

'Right now, yes, I am happy and I want to stay at this club. I don't see any other club that is better than Real Madrid. If you weigh things up, there is no better club. So all other clubs can forget about me because Real Madrid is the best.'

Source: LIB