Cristiano Ronaldo hopes Manchester United can be special again: 'They lack identity and it hurts me, I wish Jose Mourinho can take them back to the top'

• Manchester United news: Click here for all the latest from Old Trafford 
• Jose Mourinho set to be unveiled as Manchester United boss on Thursday
• Cristiano Ronaldo has backed the 53-year-old to succeed at the club
• The Real Madrid star wants Mourinho take United back to the top
• Ronaldo also played down suggestions of a grudge between the pair 

Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Manchester United's incoming manager Jose Mourinho to bring the good times back to the cluby.

The Red Devils and Mourinho have been locked in negotiations following the sacking of Louis van Gaal but he is expected to be unveiled as the new man in charge at Old Trafford on Thursday.

And Ronaldo, who spent six years in Manchester, hopes Mourinho can take the club back to the summit of world football and fix the club's underlying problems.  

Manchester United are set to announce Jose Mourinho as the club's new manager on Thursday

Cristiano Ronaldo hopes the Portuguese can help his former side rediscover their identity 

Speaking to Spanish programme Jugones, which is to be shown at 2pm, and quoted in 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.' 

Ronaldo and Mourinho had a frosty relationship during their time together at Real Madrid after the pair clashed over tactics.

Ronaldo admitted he had been hurt by the struggles his former club have endured

Ronaldo and Mourinho had a frosty relationship during their time together at Real Madrid

Ronaldo showed his confidence is still sky high with these pictures posted to his Instagram on Wednesday

The attacker felt his manager's tactics were too negative at times and was unhappy with Mourinho's decision to drop Pepe and Iker Casillas from his starting XI.

Despite this, Ronaldo insists he has no issue with the 53-year-old and played down suggestions of tension.

'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.'