Monday 12 February 2018 18:40, UK
Phil Jones has admitted Manchester United deserved to lose against Newcastle on Sunday and says he and his team-mates are "devastated" at the result.
United lost 1-0 at St James' Park in a result that left them 16 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.
It continued manager Jose Mourinho's record of never winning a league game at Newcastle, but Jones admits United did not deserve to take anything from the match.
Speaking to MUTV, he said: "I think the result was probably fair. I don't think we deserved to win the game.
"We started slow and sloppy. The crowd were on their feet, they got momentum.
"Second half we had a few chances but we're not kidding ourselves. We were not good enough today. We started too slow and couldn't get to the rhythm of our game.
"We'll have to play a lot better than that if we're going to kick on and improve."
Wins for Tottenham and Liverpool at the weekend mean the gap between second-placed United and fifth-placed Chelsea is now just six points - and it could be reduced to just three if Chelsea win their game in hand against West Brom on Monday, live on Sky Sports.
With the competition for places in next season's Champions League intensifying, Jones admits United need to improve.
He said: "A lot of teams around us keep drawing, losing points and there is a lot still to play for.
"It was a disappointing day, but we have to go again. That's all we can do, that's all we know. We're disappointed, we're devastated, but we have to improve."
