Jones wants United to go back to basics
PHIL JONES admits Manchester United are heading into 2018 looking backwards instead of forwards.
Just two weeks ago Jose Mourinho’s men were sat in second place in the table and appeared to be the best of the rest behind runaway leaders Manchester City.
But a dismal run of three points from a possible nine has seen them drop to third, with a chasing pack, including Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal, closing in fast behind them.
United have lost their killer instinct in front of goal and have now drawn three league games on the spin for the first time since Mourinho took charge.
Southampton went into this clash with one win in 11 outings, dropped goalkeeper Fraser Forster and had a striker in Shane Long without a goal to his name all season – but still United couldn’t beat them.
In fact, United’s David De Gea was the busier keeper and the boos that rang around Old Trafford at the final whistle could not be ignored.
At one stage this season United looked like the only side capable of giving City a run for their money.
But Jones admits they are now locked in a battle just to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification at best. The England defender insists United are looking over their shoulders and said: “That’s obvious, if you look at the table.
“But we have to concentrate on ourselves. It sounds so cliched, but we need to look after each other and stick together, which is what we will do.
Stick
“We need to keep going and keep battling. It’s frustrating for us, frustrating for the fans, of course, and everyone involved, but there’s no point sitting here and sulking about it. We haven’t got beat, but it feels like a defeat.
“It’s tough to take. It’s not as if we’re not creating the chances, but, unfortunately at the moment, we can’t put them away. We need to stick together and keep going. That’s all we can do.”
United’s cause wasn’t helped by striker Romelu Lukaku being carried off with concussion inside 15 minutes and he will now miss the next two games, including today’s trip to former club Everton.
Jones admits the fact neighbours City have been producing record-breaking football right under their noses increases the pressure at Old Trafford.
“It won’t help,” he said. “It’s difficult. We’re going through a patch where we’re picking up a few draws and not winning games like we should be.
“But we’ll get there. In another few weeks’ time, we might be standing here saying we’re in a very controlled position again, but we’ve got to make sure we do that rather than just say it.”
The visitors deserved at least a point, although they were lucky to escape without conceding a penalty when the ball stuck Maya Yoshida’s outstretched arm.
Saints’ winless run now stretches to eight games – their worst streak since the 2004-05 season when they finished bottom and were relegated.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s men hover just two points above the relegation zone and how the club invests the £75m from the sale of Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool will be crucial.
Pellegrino said: “It’s good because we have our targets. We have a couple of targets we’d like to bring in, but with the transfer market, you never know what’s going to happen.”