Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville has leapt to Jose Mourinho’s defence amid criticism of the results under the current manager.

Neville believes that the Portuguese’s track record speaks for itself and should command the utmost respect.

“His record, the amount of trophies he’s won, the clubs he’s won at means that he deserves the utmost respect,” he said in an interview with CNN’s World Sport.

“Away from my day job at the FA, I grew up a Man United fan so I want them to do well and I want Jose to do well.”

Neville, now the head coach of the England Women’s football team, was part of David Moyes’ backroom staff when the Scot took over from Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I watch and I admire him [Mourinho], and think at this moment in time as a manager you go through difficult spells. I was involved at Man United when David Moyes was here so I saw a manager go through a difficult spell.

“I went to Valencia (also as a coach) and I played under five managers.

“Management is really tough, and obviously at the moment United are going through a difficult moment you know, but for all those difficult moments you get great moments, and I’m sure Jose will return United to the place where I think they should be and that’s at the top”.