Alan Pardew has claimed that the winning mentality of Jose Mourinho sets the Manchester United boss apart from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

The Portuguese has been criticised for his negative approach to games against other big clubs this season, which has generally involved pragmatic tactics.

Pardew, however, insists that football is a results business and that taking three points is more important than providing entertainment for supporters.

In addition, the West Bromwich Albion manager - whose side host the Red Devils on Sunday - suggests that Mourinho is a proven winner, as shown by his Europa League, Community Shield and League Cup haul in his first season at Old Trafford.

"Jose and myself would love to win a game 4-0 playing flamboyant football," Pardew told reporters. "You can't do that, you just have to find a way to win sometimes. That's the thing he does better than anyone else, including Pep. He wins more trophies.

"He gets a lot of criticism which I think is unfounded. You get to the Community Shield by winning the Premier League or FA Cup. Then that's another trophy. I don't understand why people don't think it's a trophy. His targets and what he does are about winning. Simple as that.

"As managers of course, particularly if you're manager of Manchester United, you're going to get criticised. Sir Alex Ferguson got criticised and went through periods where fans were baying for him. It comes with the territory and Jose's strong enough and big enough to win trophies, which I'm sure he's going to do."

Man United currently sit second in the Premier League table, 14 points behinds leaders Man City with a game in hand.