Forgotten Man Phil Jones In Line For First Manchester United Appearance In Nearly Two Years
Phil Jones is in line to make his first Manchester United appearance for nearly two years against Wolves this evening.
According to The Athletic, captain Harry Maguire has been ruled out of the clash after suffering a knock during the 3-1 win over Burnley.
Victor Lindelof is recovering from COVID-19, while Eric Bailly was also forced off against Burnley with a hamstring issue.
It's said that Bailly still could have a chance of playing even if he wasn't spotted with the squad at the Lowry Hotel before the game.
Varane: Boss, we’ve got no Maguire, Bailly or Lindelof so who am I going to partner in defence?
— Jack (@JWools2510) January 2, 2022
Rangnick: This is where Phil Jones comes in #MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/PzW3CzGAnw
But he outlet says forgotten man Jones is in contention to start given United's lack of options in central defence at the moment.
He has reportedly impressed interim boss Ralf Rangnick during training and featured in two fixtures for the Under 23 side in recent times.
His last start for United came in a 6-1 win over Tranmere Rovers back in January 2020, with Jones scoring in the FA Cup clash.
He spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, however, and described the period as "the lowest I probably ever felt in my life".
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand even branded Jones "a waste of time" and claimed he was taking up the spot of a young player in the squad.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took issue with the comments at the time, while Jones himself launched quite the attack on those who have mocked him.
Speaking in September, he told The Times: “I must be an easy target. Every footballer has a tag and unfortunately mine is, ‘Let’s have a laugh at him.’
“But -- and I say this in the nicest possible way -- I know who’ll have the last laugh. I’m proud of my career and when it finishes and I’m enjoying my life -- and by the way I’m super fortunate that I’ll be able to do that, because footballers are fortunate -- [the keyboard warriors] will still be in their mum’s spare bedroom, sipping Diet Pepsi that’s flat, eating a Pot Noodle, sitting in their boxers, tweeting.”
Jones was signed in 2011 from Blackburn and Sir Alex Ferguson tipped him to become the club's best ever player.
Contracted until 2023, he's 224 appearances in ten seasons and won one Premier League title.
Topics: Manchester United, Phil Jones, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson
Josh Lawless