Phil Jones: 'Manchester United can close Premier League points gap'

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has said that his side are capable of closing the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Jones was part of the squad that surrendered an eight-point lead at the top in 2012, as rivals City famously took the title through a Sergio Aguero goal on the final afternoon of the season.

The England international has highlighted City's feat as a source of optimism for Jose Mourinho's team to push on and catch Pep Guardiola's side.

"Football's football, never say never," Jones told Sky Sports News. "I remember in my first season we were eight points clear, absolutely cruising, [everyone thought there was] 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?"

Manchester United are joined by Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in chasing down City, who suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Jurgen Klopp's Reds last Sunday.