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Luton boss Jones 'so proud': But we flattered Man Utd a lot

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones was left frustrated after their defeat to Carabao Cup opponents Manchester United.

United won 3-0 via goals from Juan Mata (pen), Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.

Jones said: “When I watch in back in the cold light of day I will be pleased, but I feel a bit sick at the minute because I think it flattered them a lot.

“We had to go for it late on and try to get the goal, with them bringing on a minimum of £150million worth of talent on at the end, you leave yourself a little bit open.

“I'm so proud of the performance, from start to finish, I thought we were excellent.

"These are a top Premier League side with Championship League ambitions, so for us to compete with that, and in the manner of the performance, in terms of how we pressed and worked, it shows we're in a good place.

“We made nine changes to the side that played in the league and won on the weekend, so we know, as a group, we're in a decent place."

When asked if the triple substitution, Portugal star Bruno Fernandes also introduced with 12 minutes to go, was a complement to his side, Jones continued: “You'll have to ask them, but they needed a cushion and those three coming on, once you turn the ball over, they murder you.

“That's what that type of player can do for you, but we were going for it right at the end and we want to give ourselves an opportunity to maybe get a goal and we left ourselves open.

“If I'd wanted to just have a 1-0 defeat, we could've shut up shop quite easily, but we kind of went for it.,

"We played two up top and were a little bit open and we got punished for it. That's what top sides can do.

“It could've been a different story, they're a top side but I'm proud of the performance and that's what I can take from it.

"I know the group is in a good place.

"Structurally, we're exactly the same as the league side and we've got great competition for our level.

"It shows that we are nowhere near, and in god's will we won't be anywhere near the level we were at last year."

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