Jones Hopes for City Slip

Manchester United defender Phil Jones says now is the time to crank up the pressure on Manchester City.

The Blues are licking their wounds after Tuesday night's defeat to Napoli left them on the brink of a costly Champions League exit.

Now they have to raise their spirits for a tough Barclays Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Manchester United though will have the opportunity to close the gap to two points on City by beating Newcastle at Old Trafford 24 hours earlier.

UNDER PRESSURE

And, while Jones is sure the Red Devils will be in the title shake-up, the 19-year-old defender recognises this would be a good time to apply some heat.

"City have done fantastically this season," Jones said. "I am not taking anything away from them.

"But they do have some tough games coming up.

"I don't care how good you are, teams can be put under pressure. This is a difficult league to be in.

"It would be nice to reach top spot by Christmas. But it is not essential.

"Don't be writing us off if we are not there by January."

Jones to Start in Midfield

Fabio Capello has confirmed Phil Jones will play in midfield for England in Saturday's glamour friendly with world champions Spain.

The United defender will face a difficult test containing the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas as he lines up alongside Chelsea's Frank Lampard, who is captaining the side.

Jones featured in midfield for the Reds in the recent draw at Liverpool and played there a number of times for former club Blackburn.

"I think centre-back is my more natural position," he admitted to reporters. "That is where I grew up playing. But I think I am more than adequate playing at right-back and central midfield as well.

"I have played central midfield for Blackburn for a full season so I know where to be. I am looking forward to it. Xavi and Iniesta are fantastic players. We all know that but they are only human . Everyone can make mistakes if you get in amongst them. We'll see.

"United signed me as a centre-back, that is the position they had seen me in and that is the position they wanted me to play in. During pre-season, I played right-back and central midfield a few times so they saw me playing there and knew I could do a job so I have been asked to play there on a number of occasions now."

Loan Duo Return to Old Trafford

Loan stars Ryan Tunnicliffe and Danny Drinkwater have been training with the United first-team this week.
Reserves boss Warren Joyce, who is tasked with keeping track of the loanees' progress, revealed that the young midfielders have been enjoying working with a squad that has been depleted by international commitments.
Tunnicliffe has impressed at Peterborough and managed to force his way into Darren Ferguson's plans while Drinkwater has been earning good reviews for his displays at Barnsley, although he has picked up a one-game suspension with the Tykes.

"We try to get the loan boys back here," Joyce told ManUtd.com. "Ryan has been training today with the first-team and Danny was in yesterday.

"We try to bring them back during the international break just to have a little taste of training with the first-team in that group today. It keeps them in the club and makes sure they feel part of things."

Defender Scott Wootton is also back at Carrington as he recovers from an injury that has put his loan switch to Peterborough on hold.

"Scott's knee problem is going to take a couple of weeks but he's back here training," explained Joyce.