Manchester United defender Daley Blind has claimed that there are similarities between current manager Jose Mourinho and his predecessor Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho took the Old Trafford hotseat in the summer after Van Gaal was sacked two years into his three-year contract.

The Dutchman managed to win the FA Cup during his spell, but the team failed to mount a Premier League title challenge in that time.

The club are currently nine points adrift of the top spot under Mourinho after winning just five of their 12 games in the campaign so far.

Blind has claimed that the two managers have different playing styles, but they are similar in certain aspects.

"I am fortunate enough to have worked with a number of big coaches. I learn a lot from Mourinho on a daily basis and he is a good guy," The Mirror quotes Blind as saying. "He is pretty similar to Van Gaal when it comes to their commitment to the team. They used to work together so I reckon that is no coincidence.

"Mourinho earned himself the nickname 'The Special One' because of everything he has achieved. He is an excellent coach who has an eye for details.

"He is very strong tactically, but his philosophy is slightly different to that of Van Gaal. He is very direct, it is all about winning, but I think we are on the right path as a team."

United have won just two league games in their last nine outings.