David Moyes and Jose Mourinho
David Moyes [Reuters]

Ahead of Chelsea's clash against Manchester United, one would have expected Jose Mourinho to be at his shrewd best and play mind games against his rival manager.

Instead, the Portuguese tactician backed David Moyes to bounce back and hit the ground running at Old Trafford after witnessing an inconsistent season as United manager.

The 50-year-old said despite the air of discontentment surrounding the United board room, the club's officials have faith in their current manager and expect him to rebuild the team and eventually win trophies in the long run.

However, Mourinho played down the Red Devils' chances of defending their league title, but backed the former Everton manager to eventually come good in the seasons ahead.

"My feeling, which is based on years of communicating with Sir Alex and some inside information, is Man United are not happy, but they are calm. They trust David. David trusts them," Mourinho told London's Evening Standard.

"The bad results will finish. They will get back on track, probably too late to win the League because they're too many points behind the leader," he added.

The Scotsman has so far witnessed his side suffer three league defeats at home this season. The English champions are currently seventh in the table with 37 points after 21 matches, 11 behind leaders Arsenal.

However, the self proclaimed 'Special One' felt that the Glaswegian is under no pressure from United hierarchy to immediately add silverware to the Old Trafford cabinet.

"I don't think David is under pressure. The pressure is something virtual. It is something that comes from the media as a consequence of not having the best results," the 50-year-old explained.

"The point is not sympathy or talk about the incredible task he inherited in replacing Sir Alex. I think David has a fantastic situation," he concluded.

"He is in a special club with a special philosophy and a special understanding of what is the importance of the manager, a fantastic understanding of the time a manager needs to give his best and to transform his squad and to make his team."

United travel to London to take on third-placed Chelsea on Sunday for the most awaited Premier League clash of the weekend. But Mourinho will be keen to maintain his unbeaten streak in the league at Stamford Bridge and aim for all three points as he aims to lead the Blues for their first league glory since 2010.