Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is "the bravest person in football," that's according to former Real Madrid and Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

The Red Devils manager signed the Spanish full-back from the Reds during his time at the Bernabeu.

Arbeloa, speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, heaped praise on the Portuguese and insists he will be pleased with his first year in charge at Old Trafford.

"I think the bravest person I've met in football is Mourinho. He has to be happy with the year he's had at [Manchester] United," Arbeloa told AS.
Alvaro Arbeloa insists Jose Mourinho is the bravest man he has met in football (
Image:
Man Utd via Getty)
Mourinho delivers a message to Arbeloa during their time at Madrid (
Image:
Helios de la Rubia)
Arbeloa failed to feature regularly for West Ham (
Image:
David Price)

Now retired, the 34-year-old admits regret in the way he hung up his boots after a year with West Ham back in the Premier League.

"I'm not retiring from football in the manner I'd have liked to," Arbeloa admitted.

"I'd have liked to hang up my boots in the way Xabi Alonso did, for example."

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