Phil Jones could be in line for his second start in as many games.
The talk of dressing room unrest at Manchester United is disappointing. Even more so given the fact that Ralf Rangnick has only been in charge for just over a month. Sadly, this is a squad of players that will throw you under the bus at the first sign of turmoil…
One player who doesn’t fit that mould is Phil Jones. The English centre-half hadn’t played a game in over 700 days before the Wolves game on Monday night. Make no mistake about it, the former Blackburn Rovers man was the only bright spark.
Jones’ opportunity came due to an injury to Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly over with the Ivory Coast for AFCON and Victor Lindelof suffering with Covid-19. However, a genuine case can be made for Jones to be given a run in the side.
Well, according to The Athletic, the 29-year-old United star, who only has one-appearance this season, is now in contention to play against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday.
Rangnick strikes me as a manager who doesn’t care about egos or big names. Rather, the German will focus solely on winning football matches – and picking the in-form players from game-to-game.
It says everything that Jones was the shining light for United against Wolves. Particularly as he’s a player who has been nothing but the punchline to a joke for the last few years.
The fact that he left the pitch in tears, tapping the United badge proudly on his chest, means the world to us fans. He gave every single ounce of blood, sweat and tears for the Red Devils on the day. He can hold his head high.
Right now, I’d state that Jones’ performance against Wolves is arguably better than anything Maguire has done all season. They’ll still be no Bailly available due to AFCON and who knows how Lindelof is feeling after suffering from Covid-19? There’s a good chance the Englishman is called upon to start again here. And he’d be in the XI on merit.
My only concern for Jones is that he’s barely played a high level game of football recently. Can he really play two, back-to-back? I guess the week in between fixtures certainly helps him out in that regard.
Should Phil Jones start this one for Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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