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Phil Jones' Amazing Performance Against Cristiano Ronaldo In 2013 Remembered

Phil Jones' Amazing Performance Against Cristiano Ronaldo In 2013 Remembered

A compilation of one of Jones' finest moments in a Manchester United shirt is trending online.

James Aldred

James Aldred

A video showing Phil Jones holding his own at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2013 has resurfaced online this week.

Jones was just 20 years old at the time and was part of a makeshift Manchester United midfield that drew 1-1 against a Real Madrid team graced by the likes of Luka Modrić, Xabi Alonso and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The compilation shows the former Blackburn man making some exceptional blocks and tackles and threading some inviting passes forward to The Red Devils' frontline.

Jones, now 29, has made the headlines after a recent interview with The Times in which he opened up about his struggles with injuries and online abuse.

He also went on to talk about that Real Madrid match and the support former manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave to him about that particular performance.

Image Credit- PA Images
Image Credit- PA Images

"He (Sir Alex Ferguson) was just unbelievable for me," Jones said. "I went to the premiere of his film with a few players and he came over, we shook hands and then out of the blue he said 'hey, you were f****** terrific against Real Madrid away (in 2013). F****** marking Ronaldo.' It just gave me so much confidence."

There was plenty of hype when Jones first moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2011 for a fee in the region of £16.5 million. Whilst former England manager Fabio Capello compared Jones' style to that of former AC Milan and Italy captain Francesco Baresi, his club manager claiming the defender could be 'the best ever player...' in the history of Manchester United.

However, due to several significant injuries, including a recent one which has kept him out of the first team picture for 20 months, Jones has never really been able to fulfil his potential and has been targeted by online trolls.

"I must be an easy target," he continued in the interview. "But-- and I say this in the nicest possible way-- I know who'll have the last laugh. I'm proud of my career.

Image Credit- PA Images
Image Credit- PA Images

I'll fight for United until someone tells me, 'Go somewhere else'."

If he can replicated performances like those of 8 years ago, who's to say Jones won't play a big part in Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side moving forwards.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Phil Jones, Fabio Capello, Cristiano Ronaldo