SINGAPORE - Without a league title since 2013 and the team off to a slow start under Jose Mourinho, former Manchester United players Quinton Fortune and Ronnie Johnsen believe that the Red Devils are showing signs they are growing into a great team once again.

Both footballers, in Singapore to promote the club's official wine Casillero del Diablo at the Cold Storage outlet in Plaza Singapura on Tuesday (Feb 28) afternoon, point to Sunday's League Cup triumph as proof that the Portuguese manager is building a team capable of challenging for honours consistently.

Midfielder Fortune, who played at Old Trafford from 1999-2006, said: "We've got the trophy (League Cup) on Sunday, that's the most important. One down, three to go. The league is still to play for. Chelsea is doing well this season but it's not over until it's over. We'll push them right until the end with the Europa League and FA Cup still to play for.

"We've got the players, we've got the big squad. The momentum is with us now, the mentality is right this season. It's taken the manager just six months to win his first trophy, which is amazing, coming so early in his Manchester United career."

Centre-back Johnsen added: "They won the first trophy under Mourinho on Sunday, which is a very good sign. You could see they are constantly improving their performances, they can even win on a bad day, which is another good sign.

"They have managed to get points (when the team is not playing well). They are up there. They have a chance to win more trophies this season. From now until the end of this season, it is so tight now in the Premier League to earn those Champions League places."

United lifted the League Cup after a 3-2 win over Southampton and remain in contention for the Europa League, where they are due to meet Russian side Rostov in the round-of-16, and the FA Cup, where they will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

In the Premier League, United are currently sixth in the table on 48 points, 15 points behind leaders Chelsea.