Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has said former manager Louis van Gaal was stricter in training than his successor Jose Mourinho.

Fellaini, who was signed for United by David Moyes for £27.5 million from Everton in 2013, has regularly appeared in the first team under both Van Gaal and Mourinho.

The Belgium international made 65 appearances in two years under the Dutchman and has played in 13 games under the Portuguese this season.

"Louis van Gaal is stricter. Mourinho is strict, but not like Van Gaal," Fellaini told Sky Sports' "Soccer AM."

"It is funnier with Mourinho, the training changes all the time. It is not a routine. Van Gaal had his philosophy and he was strict but he was very different."

Mourinho, who took over at United in the summer, showed his backing for Fellaini by contacting the player during Euro 2016.

Marouane Fellaini joined Manchester United from Everton in 2013. Getty

And the 29-year-old says that Mourinho will deliver success at United in the long run.

Fellaini said: "I think Mourinho is the right manager. He has a lot of experience and he knows what he can do but you have to give him time as well so I'm sure the victories will come.

"He's asked me to play my game. He knows what I can do. Straight away, he said to me, 'I know you're quality, I know what you can do.' During the Euros, he called me and asked if I wanted to move or continue so it definitely gave me a boost."

Discussing United's campaign so far, Fellaini added: "I think we started well. We lost two games and I think the problems started but that's football. In British football, every game is difficult. It is a big pressure. That's football at the biggest club, that's why, but I think we have to keep working and we will win games I'm sure."

Fellaini's midfield position has been a subject of debate this season as he has played deeper, centrally and also further forward in his career.

But Fellaini said: "In the middle of midfield is, in my opinion, my best position. I can play as a No. 6 or a No. 8 but in the middle is my position. It is hard to adapt to moving around, but I'm used to it. This season, I just play in the midfield defensively and I'm happy like that."