Jones Bemoans Lingard's Lack Of Luck

Phil Jones thought a draw was a fair result as Manchester United had to settle for a point in Sunday’s derby stalemate at Old Trafford as he bemoaned a lack of luck when Jesse Lingard hit the bar.

The defender completed 90 minutes for the third game running for the Reds, who came closest to breaking the deadlock against City when substitute Lingard struck the woodwork in the closing stages. Jones's centre-back partner Chris Smalling also forced a save from Joe Hart late on.

Although the England international felt United were "disappointed" not to win, he reflected on a positive display from the team in a cagey contest – particularly in the second half.

He told Manutd.com after the goalless draw: “At home, you always want to win games. It was a tough game. On another day, we could have nicked it but I think a draw was a fair result.

“In the first half, it was okay but, in the second half, we were much better. It was energetic and frantic at times but I thought we took the game to them, especially in that 25-minute spell when they couldn’t get out. That is probably when we should have scored but it wasn’t to be.”

The Reds looked most likely to nick a winner when Smalling’s low shot calling Hart into action and Lingard almost marked his senior derby debut with a memorable goal. Jones believes United were unfortunate not to come out on top.

“I thought it was a great save from Joe [Hart]. It would have been nice for him to sneak that one into the bottom corner but it wasn’t to be. It looked like it [Lingard’s effort] was in but that is the luck you need sometimes.

“Maybe it could have hit the bar, it could have come down and there could have been somebody there to tap it in. But I thought he did great when he came on and it would have been a contender for Goal of the Season if it had gone in.”