Jose Mourinho should be inspired by the progress his Manchester United team have made -- and they are "unlucky'' not to be challenging Premier League leaders Chelsea, according to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Stoke, the equaliser coming courtesy of a Wayne Rooney free kick which saw the England captain pass Sir Bobby Charlton's mark to become the club's all-time record scorer with 250.

United sit in sixth in the standings -- two points behind Manchester City and four adrift of Liverpool, although 14 shy of Chelsea -- and Ferguson has no doubt Mourinho and his squad are moving in the right direction following the summer exit of Louis van Gaal.

"I think he has done really well. It is like a player coming to Manchester United. It is not easy coming and transforming the club's fortunes from my time, it is not easy,'' Ferguson said in an interview with BBC Sport. "I thought Louis van Gaal did a good job and I think Jose is doing a great job.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jose Mourinho has been unfortunate to draw so many matches as Manchester United manager. Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

"He has got to grips with the club -- you can see that. The team is playing really well and he has been very unlucky. He has had six draws I think, 1-1 - and every game he has battered that team.

"I think without all of those draws, they would be challenging Chelsea.

"That is the unfortunate part, but he has got to live with that but I think he will be inspired by the progress of the team.''

Ferguson, who retired in May 2013 following 26 years at the helm, feels former Chelsea boss Mourinho has slowly grown into his role at Old Trafford.

"I think Jose is finding solutions now,'' the 75-year-old added. "There was a period earlier in the season when he wasn't getting the decisions and his emotions boiled over. You see him now -- he is calm and in control.

"That is the obvious observation I am making of the team now. The team is mirroring its manager.

"It is playing with great energy, determination and will to win, which I think is really important.''