Jones happy with comeback, hails Man United performance

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IANS Swansea (UK)
Last Updated : Nov 07 2016 | 3:22 PM IST

English Premier League (EPL) football club Manchester United defender Phil Jones was happy after making his return from injury in the 3-1 win over Swansea City here.

Sunday's match was the defender's first for United since January home win over Swansea. He was named in the starting XI for the game at the Liberty Stadium here and came out with a commanding performance.

"I'm delighted to have started. I worked hard to get to where I am, it's been a difficult few months. Watching the lads play and not being able to be involved was tough, but today was a really good feeling for me," Jones told MUTV after the game.

"It's been a nightmare. It's been difficult for me but all I can do is keep plugging away and never give up. Today is an example; I've worked so hard to get back and play in games like that. It's what I love doing. I just want to play as many games as possible, if the manager sees that I'm fit enough to play and doing a good job for him, I'm delighted to be playing again."

Jones said he was feeling the effects of a lengthy lay-off.

"Yeah, I suppose I was towards the end! Your calves go or your hamstring is a bit tight, but it's just great to be back with a few scrapes and bruises on my legs again. It'll be nice to wake up a bit sore in the morning and remember what it feels like," he said.

The Jose Mourinho managed side scripted a facile win in South Wales, with Paul Pogba scoring with a superb long-range volley and Zlatan Ibrahimovic netting a brace.

Jones asserted that Sunday's performance was one of United's most impressive this season, but warned his teammates that they will have to maintain similar form when they return from the international break in order to stay in contention for the EPL title.

"That was one of the best attacking displays we've produced this season. We created chance after chance and carved them open. People will say that Swansea are near the bottom of the league but, believe me, it's not an easy place to come, I've been here plenty of times and it's not easy," he said.

"We need to [go on a run] because it wasn't good enough against Fenerbahce and we know that. We've had to dust ourselves down quickly, everyone from the manager to the players and staff -- we went again today and that's what we'll keep doing. If we keep plugging away, we'll get results."

--IANS

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First Published: Nov 07 2016 | 3:10 PM IST

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