Jones Itching To Play In Europa League Final

Phil Jones is itching to play for Manchester United in the Europa League final against Ajax but appreciates it is a battle to be on the teamsheet for the big occasion.

United manager Jose Mourinho suggested before the 0-0 draw at Southampton that one of the big questions he has to answer is whether Jones or Chris Smalling starts in the showpiece fixture in Stockholm. The two England defenders are fit again after injury and have been paired together in the last three Premier League matches.

By helping the Reds to keep a clean sheet at St Mary's, both showed their worth and Jones was subsequently asked about his chances of being in the XI on Wednesday night by MUTV.

"We’ve got a fantastic squad and we’re all itching to play in the final," he admitted. "It’s a final, you’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to play in a final but, as an individual, you can only do what you do best and do well for the team. Whoever plays in the final is good enough to go out there, do the business and win the game."

Even with one more league game to come, at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, Jones is already allowing his mind to cast forward to the Europa League final.

"You’d be crazy to put it out of your thoughts completely," the 25-year-old defender admitted, after the Southampton stalemate. "It’s a huge game for us, we’re excited about the final and we’ve won a cup already.

"People will look at the table and say we’ve not had a good season but, ultimately, would you rather finish second and win nothing or win two cups and be in the Champions League?"

Finally Jones gave a word of praise to the the travelling United supporters, not only at St. Mary's but throughout the 2016/17 season as a whole.

"They've been fantastic all season - home and away," he added. "The lads in the dressing room appreciate it, they really do. On a Wednesday night, to travel all the way to Southampton for a 0-0 draw is good and we need that [support] on Sunday [against Crystal Palace] and in the final."