Jones "gutted" with loss

By Chris,
December 31 2011

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has said he is “gutted” to suffer defeat at the hands of his former club. The centre-back, who cost United £16.5million this summer, has described United’s performance as “too laboured” as the Reds tasted New Year’s Eve defeat despite a brace from the on-form Dimitar Berbatov.

Jones, who has impressed this season since his switch from Ewood Park, offered a harsh assessment of United’s performance following Saturday’s defeat.

The English centre-back started alongside Michael Carrick in a makeshift back four that conceded on three occasions against Steve Kean’s struggling Rovers.

United trailed 2-0 before two Berbatov goals restored parity. However, the visitors grabbed all three points as Grant Hanley headed home the winning goal with ten minutes to play.

The former Blackburn man told MUTV: “We weren't at the races today and we punished ourselves in the first half.

“We were too slow, too laboured and not quick enough. We're just generally disappointed.

"The injuries don't help but it's no excuse. We weren't good enough, nowhere near good enough. We've just got to kick on from here and get back to winning ways."