The ex-Premier League striker feels the Red Devils have hit their stride and will start to work “like a machine” now that they have found form

Jose Mourinho remains “the best manager in the world” in the eyes of Dean Saunders, with the Portuguese having helped Manchester United to “turn the corner”.

The Red Devils endured a tough opening to the 2016-17 campaign, with a fast start followed by a frustrating period of inconsistency that led them to fall off the pace for a top-four spot.

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Fortunes have improved of late, though, with four successive victories secured in all competitions.

Three in the Premier League have lifted United back to within four points of the Champions League places, with momentum building behind them.

Saunders expects the Mourinho “machine” to kick on from this point, but concedes that they have left themselves a lot of catching up to do on those edging clear at the summit.

He told Sky Sports News: “They’ve spent a lot of money and are just off the pace. They could put it right but I just think they’ll be disappointed with where they are lying right now.

“They’ve turned the corner. [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic is scoring every week, the two centre-backs look good, [Paul] Pogba’s looking like a different player on the left of a three-man midfield.

“They’re starting to look like one of Jose Mourinho’s teams, which are hard to play against. He’s starting to get it together.

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“Mourinho took a bit of criticism but I have to say he’s probably the best manager in the world so don’t underestimate what he’s doing behind the scenes.

“He’ll be getting that team functioning and before long it’ll be like a machine. Whether they’ve given themselves too much to do remains to be seen but there’s still a long way to go.”

United will be looking to stretch their winning run on Boxing Day when they welcome former boss David Moyes and his struggling Sunderland side to Old Trafford.