Fergie's backing for Jose

JOSE Mourinho should be inspired by the progress his Manchester United team have made - and they are "unlucky" not to be challenging Premier League leaders Chelsea, according to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Stoke, the equaliser coming courtesy of a Wayne Rooney free-kick which saw the England captain pass Sir Bobby Charlton's mark to become the club's all-time record scorer with 250.

United sit in sixth in the standings - two points behind Manchester City and four adrift of Liverpool although 14 shy of Chelsea - and Ferguson is in no doubt Mourinho and his squad are moving in the right direction following the summer exit of Louis van Gaal.

"I think he has done well. It is like a player coming to United. It is not easy coming and transforming the club's fortunes from my time, it is not easy," Ferguson said.

"I think Jose is doing a great job. He has got to grips with the club - you can see that. The team is playing really well and he has been very unlucky. He has had six draws I think, and without all of those draws, they would be challenging Chelsea.

"That is the unfortunate part, but I think he will be inspired by the progress of the team."