Louis van Gaal still being backed by his players, says Phil Jones

Life is better at Manchester United with Louis van Gaal at the helm than the 'glum' days of David Moyes, according to Phil Jones.

A gloom has descended at Old Trafford after a dismal run of results and heavy criticism of the team's performances with some papers reporting on Sunday that the under-fire boss had one game to save his job.

The pressure rose after Saturday's home defeat by Norwich, but Jones claims the atmosphere was worse during the ill-fated reign of Moyes.

The defender said: "I wouldn't say it's the lowest moment. I think it became pretty glum, if you like, under David Moyes and it was unfortunate. We weren't playing well at the time.

"There's no point saying we've played some good football this season because ultimately we've lost three games in a row - but we have in patches. We need to stick together, there's nothing else you can do."

United, who have not won in six games in all competitions, have slipped to fifth in the Premier League and Jose Mourinho, who left Chelsea last week, has been linked with Van Gaal's job.

But Jones insists the players are backing the Dutchman to turn the situation around and are also determined to pull their own weight.

The 23-year-old added: "The manager is doing all he can and is doing a terrific job. It's not even questionable in the dressing room. The lads are absolutely fully focused on performing well for the manager, the fans, ourselves week-in,

week-out.

"The players in there aren't hiding behind anyone. We know full well we have to take responsibility. There's no other way. The manager picks the team and the team has got to go out and do its best.

"We might be playing well, or playing well in patches, or not scoring or whatever it may be, but we need to stick together and us as players need to take responsibility for that. There's no two ways about that.

"We just have to keep plugging away, keep creating chances and hopefully we'll hit someone four or five nil, but we just have to get back to the drawing board again and pick ourselves up."