Man Utd hierarchy 'encouraged' by team's improving style under Maurinho

Jose Mourinho retains the steadfast support and patience of Manchester United’s hierarchy, who have been “encouraged” by the team’s improving style of play, despite worsening results consigning the club to their poorest start to a season for 26 years.

According to the Telegraph, United’s powerbrokers firmly share Mourinho’s view that the Premier League table, in which the club lie sixth, 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and nine behind fourth-placed Manchester City, does not offer an accurate reflection of the progress being made in performance terms.

The dull, risk averse brand of football United were widely accused of playing under Mourinho’s predecessor, Louis van Gaal, was as much a factor in the Dutchman’s dismissal in May after two seasons in charge as the club’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League. Van Gaal’s reign was said to have “clearly run its course”, even though United finished the campaign by winning the FA Cup.