Sir Alex Ferguson says Jose Mourinho is calm and in control now

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.

“I think he has done really well. It is like a player coming to Manchester United. It is not easy coming and transforming the club’s fortunes from my time, it is not easy,” Ferguson said in an interview with BBC Sport.

“I thought Louis van Gaal did a good job and I think Jose is doing a great job.

“I think Jose is finding solutions now,” the 75-year-old added. “There was a period earlier in the season when he wasn’t getting the decisions and his emotions boiled over. You see him now – he is calm and in control.