Jones Praises Young Charges

After Chris Smalling became the latest player to join the Manchester United injury list on Sunday, Phil Jones praised deputies Mike Keane and Tyler Blackett, who both produced solid performances at Sunderland.

Manchester-born Blackett, starting his second successive Barclays Premier League game, impressed and was joined on the field by fellow youth-team graduate Keane after Smalling was forced off just before half-time.

Jones, who himself led by example at the heart of the defence, was keen to praise the young duo following the 1-1 draw with the Black Cats.

"Both of them did a really great job," the Reds’ no.4 told MUTV. "Tyler looked very comfortable and Mike came on and did equally well. Defensively they were very good."

"It’s not what we want [defensive injuries mounting] but these things happen and we’ve just got to adapt and move on."

Although keen to credit the United defence, Jones feels United need to improve on their play in and around the final third.

"We were dominant in possession and created glimmers of chances, but never really carved them open like we would have liked," the defender added.

"We need to keep working on everything. We’ll evaluate the game like we always do and we’ll go again. We’ll keep improving and getting better."