Jones: We Must Deliver

Phil Jones insists the Manchester United players are well aware of the importance of having a successful campaign this term and putting last season’s disappointments well and truly behind them.

The Reds have made a positive start under new boss Louis van Gaal thanks to five wins from five during the pre-season tour of the United States, which culminated in the squad returning to England with the International Champions Cup following a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the final of the friendly tournament in Miami last week.

The competitive campaign kicks-off against Swansea City at Old Trafford on Saturday and in an exclusive interview with Inside United magazine, Jones says the players know it’s time to deliver.

“As everyone knows last season was a difficult one for all of us involved at the club. It was nowhere near where we want to be and what we want to achieve,” he said. “Yes there was a transition with the new manager but that’s no excuse – for whatever reason things didn’t happen on the pitch.

“The World Cup was disappointing for some of us too but that, and last season, only make you more determined to ensure we have a good season this time. We’re all raring to go and we know this is an important season for us. We’re under a new manager and really looking forward to getting going.”

Asked about United’s ambitions for the campaign and mounting a title challenge, the defenders declares: “Of course everyone wants to win the title. It [being at the top] is where we belong as a club but we have no given right to say we should win the title every year, we have to go out there and do the business to win it ourselves. We can only do that by taking each game as it comes starting with Swansea.”