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Manchester United defender speaks up for manager Jose Mourinho
MANCHESTER UNITED's players are 100 per cent behind "honest" manager Jose Mourinho, insists Phil Jones.
Phil Jones says the Manchester United players are behind Jose Mourinho
Manchester United have got off to their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign under Jose Mourinho this season.
They sit sixth in the table - already 11 points off leaders Chelsea.
The side has been hit by injuries - especially in defence - but have also struggled for goals and boast the fourth-worst disciplinary record in the top flight so far.
If you need telling, you need telling and he has done that for every player
Mourinho is under pressure to get results and was sent to the stands in the 1-1 draw against West Ham on Sunday for kicking a water bottle.
But Jones is adamant the Portuguese boss has United heading in the right direction.
"He is great, passionate, honest and his passion rubs off on the players and you can see that out on the pitch," Jones told Sky Sports.
Jose Mourinho's Manchester United side face Everton on Sunday
"All the players fight for him and it is a great feeling at the moment.
"He is what he is and that is why he is great.
"Like he is with you, he is like that with us.
"That is all you can ask, for a manager to be honest and tell you how things are.
"If you need telling, you need telling and he has done that for every player and you can see that out on the pitch."
Jones has become a mainstay in Mourinho's defence at Man United
Jones has recovered from injury and boasts five appearances this season
Jones had sustained a knee injury earlier in the season
Mourinho admitted he brought Jones back into the first team before he was fully fit in order to cover for injuries.
The centre-back is tipped to line up against Everton on Sunday as United seek to close the gap on the title challengers.
"(Our) draws against Burnley, Stoke and Arsenal have not stalled us, but we needed to turn those into wins," Jones added.
"All three goalkeepers had worldy games.
"We are playing free-flowing football and getting into great positions and we just need to finish teams off sooner."