Phil: United will still be knockouts

Posted Thursday, November 24, 2011 by The Sun

PHIL JONES is determined to put his own goal gaffe behind him with a big night in Basel.

The Manchester United star turned a cross into his own net after just four minutes on Tuesday as Benfica grabbed a draw at Old Trafford.

It has left the Champions League future of Alex Ferguson's side hanging in the balance and they need at least a draw in Switzerland to progress to the knockout stages.

Now the 19-year-old England international is determined to make amends in a fortnight.

But first what about that own goal?

Jones said: "The ball has come across, it is just a reaction and it has gone in the back of the net. What can you do?

"It is one of those things that happens. It happens to the best players, there is nothing you can do and it has gone in the back of the net. There is nothing you can say more than that. It is football, you have to get on with it. Apart from that I think I played quite well.

"You can't switch off for one second in the Champions League or you get punished like we have against Benfica. We have conceded two sloppy goals but we probably could have scored five."

Victory in Switzerland would even give United an outside chance of topping the group but, as they have already found out, Basel will be no pushover.

Fergie's men led 2-0 at Old Trafford and looked in total control until Basel hit back to lead 3-2.

It took a last-gasp Ashley Young goal to save United and Jones said: "We are in the Champions League against opponents who deserve to be there, so we know they are no mugs.

"But we have more than enough quality in our side to go to Basel and get all three points. I'm sure if we prepare right we will do that."

Midfielder Darren Fletcher agreed that while Basel will be a tough proposition on their own ground, United have more than enough to get the result they need.

Fletcher said: "You want to have won the group and you want to have qualified in advance of your last game. But we're in the situation we are and we've got to deal with that. There's no point us moaning or saying what could have been.

"We've got to respond and we've got to get the right result in Basel.

"Going away from home in the Champions League is a big challenge. They play open, attacking football and they create chances, so we know it's going to be a difficult match.

"But we're confident of going there and getting a result."

The own goal proved to be a rare low point for Jones this season.

Whether in defence or midfield he has won raves reviews.

The former Blackburn Rovers player's meteoric rise to first-teamer with United and England starter has even brought comparisons with the legendary Italian Franco Baresi from national boss Fabio Capello.

Jones said: "It is nice to be compared to people like that but I just keep my head down and keep putting in the performances that I do.

"Hopefully if I keep playing well for Manchester United, I can keep getting in the England squad.

"This is why I joined United — to play internationals and the Champions League. They are always up there every year fighting for the title and I hope we can retain it."

United, who have drawn three of their five Champions League games, will only qualify top of the group if they win and already qualified Benfica fail to beat Otelul Galati.

The Romanians have not got a point from their five games so it looks like a home banker.

That means, at best, United will be runners-up and facing a possible showdown with Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

But Fletcher does not believe any of those sides would fancy meeting United at this early stage either.

Fletcher said: "Of course, it's not ideal that we might have to face those teams earlier than we would anticipate. But I can't imagine any of those sides being too pleased to draw Manchester United. We're confident no matter who we play and no matter what lies ahead of us.

"If we get to the next round, we'll rise to that challenge."

For now United have to turn their attention to the Premier League and keeping in touch with noisy neighbours Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini's side also suffered a Champions League blow with defeat in Naples that looks sure to eliminate them from the competition.

Ferguson's men have a chance to cut the gap at the top to just two points with victory at home to Newcastle on Saturday, ahead of City's tough trip to Liverpool the next day.

Fletcher said: "All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and win our matches. We can't control City's or anybody else's results.

"We want to put results together which put us in a position come January or February to challenge for the league."