Phil Jones: Manchester United rode their luck to draw with Real Madrid


Thursday 14 Feb 2013 12:26 pm Football


Lucky: Phil Jones says Manchester United rode their luck against Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)
Phil Jones says Manchester United rode their luck in their Champions League first leg clash with Real Madrid but stressed that the club will win the second tie at Old Trafford in three weeks’ time.
Jones, a surprise starter at the Bernabeu, turned in an outstanding performance for United as they grabbed a vital away goal to draw 1-1 with Madrid in the last 16 clash.
And the ex-Blackburn star admits United were lucky to come away with the slight advantage.
‘You have to ride your luck at times but we defended really well all over the pitch,’ said Jones.
‘They are a great team and you know they are going to create something. It is about how many chances you are going to give them.
‘I thought we limited them to only a few.’
Battle: Jones (left) did a good job against Ronaldo despite him scoring (Picture: Getty)
Jones was given the task of tracking Cristiano Ronaldo’s runs across the pitch, and the England star says he felt he did a good job against the Portuguese flyer – despite the fact he managed to get on the score sheet.
‘He is the main threat for Madrid. The gaffer told me I had to be wary of Ronaldo and if he made runs inside I had to follow him.’
‘Once or twice he escaped, which was a wake-up call because he is so sharp but overall I thought we dealt with it well.’
United head into the away leg as favourites to complete the job after the 1-1 draw, and Jones adds that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are confident of making the last eight.
‘Now we have to treat the game as 0-0 really and go out and beat them at Old Trafford.’
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