Jones Is A 'Fox In The Box'

Tom Cleverley has lauded Phil Jones' goalscoring instincts after his United team-mate's second goal of the season proved enough to beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the final Champions League Group A game.

Jones, who is looking more and more at home in a midfield role, had got his goalscoring tally off the mark this term against Norwich City in the Capital One Cup, and he swept home a volley from Robin van Persie's corner to see off the Ukrainians on Tuesday.

"He took it like a striker," Cleverley told MUTV. "I think he scored a similar one a few weeks ago. He's a bit of a fox in the box from corners and he did well for us both defensively and in midfield."

The victory ensures United will avoid many of the big guns in the Champions League Round of 16 draw on Monday 16 December (11:00 GMT).

"The purpose of the night was to get the three points," explained Cleverley, who came on as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 success. "I think we turned it up in the second half and gave a good account of ourselves. Coming top of the group is massive nowadays and credit to the lads as we managed to do that.

"We had been putting pressure on and I felt like a goal was coming. In the last two or three games, we've realised how important it is to get the first goal and that's arguably more important in the Champions League."

Topping the qualifying group last season still set up a difficult knockout stage challenge against Real Madrid, with Nani's harsh sending off contributing to a luckless defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo and co.

"Last year in the second leg, the atmosphere at home was fantastic," he continued. "We were unfortunate not to go through but I think it is an advantage. The main thing, however, is to be seeded in the draw."