Jones Urges Reds To Kick On

Phil Jones says Manchester United must use Wednesday’s impressive win over Olympiacos as a springboard for a successful end to the season.

The Reds went into the Champions League last 16 second leg knowing at least two goals were needed to be in with a chance of qualifying for the last eight. United went one better thanks to Robin van Persie’s hat-trick, which, coupled with a clean sheet, ensured progression to the next round.

Attention now turns back to the Barclays Premier League with a trip to West Ham on Saturday and a derby clash with Manchester City three days later at Old Trafford. And Jones insists it’s vital the Reds carry the good form shown against the Greeks into the next two games in particular.

“We have to use this as a springboard to bounce on,” he told ManUtd.com and BBC Radio. “We can’t drag our heels [in the league] and think about the next round [in the Champions League]. We have to prepare right for the next game, against West Ham, and go and get a result.

“It was a terrific night [against Olympiacos] and nice to be on the winning side. We were long overdue a performance like that and we pulled it out of the bag when it was needed.”

Asked whether or not the team would prioritise the Champions League given the sizeable gap between United and the top four in the league, Jones added: “I think we have to but we also have to prove ourselves and show what we’re capable of in the league as well. They’re all big games and we have to go to West Ham and win. That’s our focus now.”