• Premier League

Everyone desperate for United to fail - Jones

Manchester United moved to within five points of league leaders Arsenal © Getty Images

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Phil Jones believes Manchester United's critics are desperate to see them fail this season, saying "everyone hates the best".

United endured a stuttering start to their campaign with just three wins in their opening eight games as they slipped into the bottom half of the Premier League table. They have since turned things around with three victories on the bounce moving them up to fifth.

Sunday's vital 1-0 win over Arsenal put United right back in contention for the title, leaving them five points off Arsene Wenger's table toppers. It also saw David Moyes' side leapfrog title rivals Manchester City and move within three points of Liverpool and one of Chelsea.

"People want us to fail because we have won the league so many times," said Jones. "Everyone hates the best clubs, it is as simple as that, and United won the league long before I was here.

"We enjoy that. We relish the test we get thrown at us every week. It proves when people doubt us we are more than capable of standing up for ourselves and proving to people that is why we were champions last season.

"We weren't champions for nothing. We thoroughly deserved all the points we got last season."

Jones put in an impressive performance against Arsenal, first occupying a midfield role during the opening half before switching to centre-back after the break following injury to Nemanja Vidic.

"The game needed energy, especially in the middle of the park," added Jones.

"We needed to close people down and make an effort to win the ball back. We made it really difficult for Arsenal to play.

"It was a great game to be involved in. It was a feisty affair. Tackles were flying in. The crowd were up on their feet. When you get a win like that it just makes it ever so sweet."

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