Aston Villa v Manchester United: Midfielder Phil Jones admits confidence is low at Old Trafford but the squad must deal with the pressure
Jones scored the winner against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night to see United through to the Champions League last 16 but they must look to return to winning ways in the Premier League
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United midfielder Phil Jones admits the players' confidence may have been shaken by their recent poor run but insists they have to be professional and deal with it.
David Moyes' side have taken just two points from their last four league matches, including back-to-back home defeats against Everton and Newcastle.
They avoided making it three successive home losses - which would have been the first time since 1962 - with a 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek and Jones hopes that will put them back on track.
"It is a results game, we know that and we've not picked up as many points as we would've liked and we have to start doing that," said Tuesday's match-winner.
"Players' confidence does go a little bit but we are professionals at the end of the day and we have to do the right job and deal with that.
"We are at Manchester United and there is pressure at every game."
Prior to the Shakhtar game Moyes suggested all the responsibility for poor results should be down to him but Jones said the squad had not played their part.
"We go out and play so we have to look at ourselves and take full responsibility," he added.
"The manager puts the team out but we have to go out and deliver for him and the last couple of games we've probably not done that.
"It (Tuesday) was all about winning and we've done that now. Now we have to perform as well."
United head to Aston Villa on Sunday and Jones accepts they have to win again to start generating some momentum.
"It is massive. We need to put things right in the league and that starts on Sunday. We need to get three points and go on a run.
"We have said it before but it is time we kicked on.
"We've had a disappointing couple of weeks but hopefully we can now start picking up some points.
"Villa are a tricky team but we have to go there and get three points."
Defender Jonny Evans felt there were signs in their performance against Shakhtar that showed they were still trying to do positive things and not take the safe option, especially as they needed only a draw to top their Champions League group.
"We were a bit sloppy in the first half but, once the second half began, I felt that we started to stamp our authority on the game and we controlled the game more and looked to pass it a bit better," he said.
"We showed courage to play in the right areas and we showed courage on the ball.
"Players were keen to come and take the ball and I think it played a big part."
PA
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