Sir Alex Ferguson: Phil Jones only has 'outside chance' of facing Real Madrid in Manchester United's Champions League tie

Manchester United could be without Phil Jones for the Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.

The Red Devils chief claims the 21-year-old has an 'outside chance' of making the encounter with the La Liga giants on March 5.

Jones suffered an ankle injury during Monday's FA Cup win over Reading and is having intense treatment in the hope of being available for the Old Trafford encounter.

"We are working very hard. He has an outside chance for Real Madrid - no more than that," Ferguson said.

The former Blackburn man will certainly miss Saturday's trip to QPR, and Ferguson knows his absence from the Real Madrid game would cause him a headache given how well the former Blackburn man performed in the first leg last week.

"He is a young man who went into a tackle too brave and was a bit off-balanced," said Ferguson.

"He certainly won't be fit for the weekend."

Ferguson reported everyone else has come through Monday's encounter without a problem.

The Scot repeated his mantra that, with United 12 points clear of Manchester City with 12 games remaining in the Barclays Premier League, destiny is very much in their own hands.

"The only way we can approach it is by taking care of each game and eventually we run out of matches," Ferguson said.

"I can understand from Manchester City's point of view why they are talking about us dropping points.

"But the fact of the matter is they will drop them as well."