Phil Jones believes Manchester United can catch Manchester City with 2012-style comeback

City beat United to the title with a late-season rally in 2012 and Jones believes United can do the same this time around

Phil Jones believes Manchester United can still catch leaders Manchester City (Getty)

Phil Jones believes Manchester United can still catch Manchester City in the Premier League title race and need only look back to the 2011-12 season to see why.

United currently sit 12 points behind the leaders having taken advantage of City’s first league defeat of the season by beating struggling Stoke City 3-0 on Monday night.

Despite City’s long unbeaten run being ended by Liverpool on Sunday, Pep Guardiola’s side are still fancied as comfortable title favourites.

Jones, however, has not given up hope. The 25-year-old was in his first season at Old Trafford when, under Sir Alex Ferguson, United surrendered an eight-point lead over City late in the season.

The collapse allowed Roberto Mancini’s side to come back and clinch their first top-flight league title in 44 years on the final day of the season.

Six years on, Jones sees no reason why United cannot do the same under Jose Mourinho, so long as they continue to capitalise on any City slip-ups.

“Football's football, never say never,” Jones said. “I remember in my first season [2011-12] we were eight points clear, absolutely cruising, no way we'd let the lead slip and we lost it on the final day. Football’s football.

“People can say what they want but we'll continue to be positive and push forward. You never know. It happened in 2012 to us so why not?”

After their defeat at Anfield on Sunday, City were criticised in some quarters for being over-adventurous and playing into Liverpool’s hands.

The approach greatly differed from United’s more-conservative style at Anfield in October, when Mourinho stifled Jurgen Klopp’s counter-attacking side.

Jones is happy to take whatever approach Mourinho sees fit and believes that results this season prove that United’s manager has his side on the right track.

“People will have their own views on it,” Jones said of United’s style. “People will criticise, people will have their own comments, views, but we don't care too much about that to be honest.

“We do what we do best, we set up the way the manager wants us to play and it works. We're doing well, we need to keep going.

“It was a big, big game for us on Monday with points to be played for and teams dropping points around us. It's another big game on Saturday against Burnley.”

United may be able to call upon the services of Alexis Sanchez for Saturday’s trip to Burnley as the Chilean’s surprise move from Arsenal nears completion.

Sanchez was expected to join City this month only for the league leaders to withdraw their interest, citing exorbitant financial demands, and United are now front-runners in the race for his signature.

Jones insists that while Sanchez would be a much-welcomed addition to the playing squad at United, he and his team-mates are prepared to carry the fight to City whether he arrives or not.

“No, we just go about what we do best. Keep playing, it's not up to us, it's not down to us. We know just as much as you guys,” he said.

“If someone new comes in the door then obviously it's a positive move for United but it's not up to us, we just do the business on the pitch.”