Gary Neville has admitted he would accept Manchester United finishing outside the Champions League places for a third time in four seasons if the club were going in the right direction.

Jose Mourinho’s side were held to yet another draw – their sixth of the season (no club has more) – against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, leaving United in sixth place, nine points off Manchester City in fourth and 14 from leaders Chelsea.

In the six draws, other than the two that finished goalless, the Red Devils have taken the lead only to be pegged back late on, despite controlling the game.

That has led Mourinho to blame bad luck for United’s failure to hold on to winning positions, but while Neville acknowledged the Portuguese is the one who will always take the blame, he is pleased with the progression of his former side.

“Managers are always responsible but it’s not that simple,” Neville posted via his Twitter account.

“Could and should have won most of the drawn games. I like the team more than last year.”

And when questioned by one user if he would still like the team better if United finished sixth – one place lower than they finished under Louis van Gaal – Neville responded: “If I think that the direction it’s going is right then yes.