Man United were a Laughing Stock under Mourinho – Phil Jones

Phil Jones has said Manchester United were a “laughing stock” under former manager Jose Mourinho, but the Red Devils are now heading in the right direction.

Mourinho was sacked in December amid United’s poor run of form and reports of dressing-room unrest – star midfielder Paul Pogba at the centre of discontent in Manchester.

United were outside of the Champions League places and reeling following a 3-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool but the club have gone 11 matches without defeat in all competitions since Solskjaer’s appointment as caretaker to climb to fourth in the table.

After Saturday’s 3-0 victory over lowly Fulham, United loom as a legitimate threat in the Champions League ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg last-16 fixture at home to Paris Saint-Germain and centre-back Jones is feeling confident.

“Everyone’s got to take us seriously now,” said Jones, who signed a new four-year deal with United this week.

“We might have been a bit of a laughing stock at the beginning of the season but we’re certainly not now. We’ve proven that in the last 10 or 12 games. We’re improving, we’re still getting better.

“It was tough for everyone involved. The club, the supporters, everyone. But it’s about becoming stronger and seeing that through.

“I’ve said it in the past, we’ve not achieved anything yet, we’re under no illusions but we’re heading in the right direction.”