Rio Ferdinand has welcomed Jose Mourinho to "the biggest club in the world" after a report suggested the Portuguese had signed a contract to become Manchester United manager.

Sky Sports News claim Mourinho completed the paperwork for his move to Old Trafford on Thursday and, while the club have not made any official comment, an announcement is reportedly expected on Friday.

And Ferdinand, who made over 400 appearances for United, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League crown, is hopeful Mourinho can bring back a period of sustained success to the club after the disappointing reigns of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

He wrote on Facebook: "Congratulations to Jose on being announced manager of the biggest club in the world!

"This is Jose Mourinho's most exciting & most challenging job yet.

"The first thing he needs to do is install 'winning mentality' back into the club. Get this ingredient back into the players but also the people that work inside the club day to day. Give them back that belief so it is breathing throughout the club again, which is so important. But doing the above in the Manchester United way is equally as important.

"I have heard many say the 'Mourinho WAY' is not the Manchester United style of playing football. However, the Chelsea team that Jose put together first time round when he entered the Premier League played with wingers and hurt teams with quick attacking play. They had the likes of [Arjen] Robben and [Damien] Duff on the wings who were direct and quick.

"This is a sign he knows how to get a team playing in a way Manchester United fans can look forward to seeing."

Mourinho's detractors have questioned whether he will maintain the club's tradition of bringing young players into the first team; something he has not done regularly at the likes of Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid.

Ferdinand chose not to address the issue, but insists that results will improve under the two-time Champions League winner.

He added: "Another doubt I keep hearing and being asked is, will he keep in with the tradition of the club which is bringing through the young players? For the moment, I can't answer this, only time will tell.

"One thing I can tell Manchester United fans is that they have got themselves a true winner in all aspects. His CV shows success!

"After his recent unsuccessful time at Chelsea in the final year, I can assure you this winner is now a wounded animal which makes him such a mouthwatering appointment. Jose went from winning the League cup &Premier League to losing a dressing room at Chelsea and I am certain he will want to restore all of that very quickly.

"He will be desperate to silence the media who have been writing and saying negative things about him (he will have stored it all being the competitor he is) and will be as focused as ever.

"Mourinho's huge personality is made for this great club, it's what he has been waiting for. Wishing him all the best!"