Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Manchester United face defining moment in Europa League final - Jones

MANCHESTER -- Phil Jones has said Manchester United face "a defining moment" in their season when they play Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho is set to decide between Jones and Chris Smalling to partner Daley Blind at centre-back in Stockholm.

Smalling is nursing a toe injury picked up during the 0-0 draw with Southampton earlier this month but should be fit to play if selected.

Jones, meanwhile, has started the last three games after returning from a toe injury, and speaking after the win over Crystal Palace on Sunday he said: "I'm more than ready to adapt to whatever the manager decides.

"I've said all along that whoever plays will go out and do the job to the best of their ability.

"The manager has rotated the squad to give people a rest, freshen people up and give minutes. I think he's got a terrific balance going into Wednesday. The people who are fit are raring to go."

United have already won the Community Shield and the EFL Cup in Mourinho's first season in charge, and a place in the Champions League is on the line when the teams line up at the Friends Arena.

Jones, 25, said that whether the campaign was seen as a success or a failure would hinge on what happened in the final.

He added: "It's a defining moment in our season -- we need to make sure we win. We want Champions League football. We need to earn the right to be in the Champions League, and that's by winning on Wednesday night.

"We deserve to be in the final but we have to show up and prove we are good enough, and that's what we will do."

The match will be United's 64th and last of the season, and Mourinho used his programme notes on Sunday to blast pundits -- including Graeme Souness -- who claimed he was wrong to suggest his players were tired.

Jones said the squad were feeling the effects of a long season but stressed that they would be ready for Ajax.

"There's a lot of games," he added. "We would be disappointed if we weren't in every competition. That means we weren't successful.

"But I can understand the lads' tiredness -- we've had a lot of games. We need to give it one more big push on Wednesday."

Jones has made 26 appearances under Mourinho, despite having to wait until November for his first game, and said: "I still would have liked to play more.

"I've picked up a few injuries which were unfortunate. Still, I feel I've had a good season. Hopefully I can play more next season and be better.

"I feel strong. The manager is great to work for, and this season I've thoroughly enjoyed it under him. Even when I was out of the team at the start of the season he always gave me confidence I would get into the team if I was training and playing well.

"He was true to his word. He always made me feel wanted and I owe him a lot for that."

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