Manchester United defender Phil Jones has shed somelight on what has been behind his resurgence this season.
Speaking to MEN Sport, the England man revealed that it was none other than Jose Mourinho who managed to restore his confidence and belief that he can become a long-term Red Devil.
Jones was paying tribute to the managerial figures who have aided him throughout his career so far, but there was one glaring omission from his list.
"I feel there have only been three managers who have ever truly believed in me and understood me as a player," said the former Blackburn centre-half.
"That's not being critical of other managers but the only three were Sam Allardyce, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.
There was no positivity from Jones about Louis van Gaal, suggesting that the Dutchman was a possible hindrance to the player.
Jones struggled with injury for much of van Gaal's tenure but he wasn't crocked for the entirety, meaning the Dutchman simply didn't trust the 24-year-old.
He added: " I was on the bench at Wembley in the FA Cup final and during the last two months of the final season of van Gaal last year I was fit and playing. I was just made to play reserve games.
"For whatever reason he thought I need to be fitter. I had no problem with that, I just played the games. I did what I could to get back in the teamand unfortunately itdidn't really work out under him. But again, that is football, some players are liked and some players aren't.
"I said to myself at the start of the (current) season that ifsomeone believesin me and gives me the chanceI know I am more than capable of delivering for the manager. Jose has done that."
Jones has certainly turned things around at United this season from apersonal standpoint, starting 12 league games after returning from injury. He has gained plaudits from fans and pundits forsome solidperformances alongside the much improved Marcos Rojo in the absence of Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly.