Ronaldo claims United lost identity under Van Gaal; rules out return

Louis van Gaal's reign as Manchester United manager had a damaging impact on the team's identity, according to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Real Madrid superstar confessed the team's FA Cup title did little to mask its downfall of late, adding it's been a distressing situation to see his former club in its current state.

Now that Van Gaal is gone, Ronaldo expects United to turn things around and return to its elite status.

"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," Ronaldo told Spanish outlet La Sexta, as translated by The Telegraph.

"And it hurts me seeing United like that because it's a club that I carry in my heart."

Ronaldo, however, is confident Jose Mourinho, who's expected to be announced as Manchester United's new manager this week, can help steer the ship of a club that's lost its way since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

"He's already signed, hasn't he?" Ronaldo asked about his former manager at Real. "I think it's good. If it's something United wanted I think it's good."

As for a possible return to Old Trafford, Ronaldo nipped the annual discussion in the bud when he restated his devotion to Los Blancos.

"Right now, yes I am happy and I want to stay at this club," he said. "I don't see any other club that is better than Real Madrid."

The Portuguese international will lead Real into the Champions League final Saturday in Milan, where it will clash with city rivals Atletico Madrid.