The former Blackburn youngster has had a mixed first season
One player who’s deserved better from his manager this season is the former Blackburn man Phil Jones. It’s not that Jones has been underused or publicly criticised by his manager, in fact its the opposite effect, the youngster has been used too much in positions that don’t suit him, during must-win games.
Jones was forced to play at right back against City, due to the injury to Jonny Evans meaning Chris Smalling was needed at centre back. Yet why couldn’t Tony Valencia be used at right back? He’s proven time and again he can play there, the only reason not to use his would be it’s a waste of his attacking talents, but if he’s not even on the pitch that hardly matters. Jones looked out of sorts at right back against Wigan a couple of weeks ago, and hasn’t looked comfortable in that position since early on in the season, when to be honest he looked a far more assured player. It’s as if the season has taken its toll on him and that’s hardly surprising the way he’s been treated. He’s been thrown in at centre back several times when it’s obvious he’s struggled there, right back again when he’s not looked right, and the one position he has looked best at, central midfield is a place he’s seldom been used in these past few months.
I know that Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick have made the central roles their own, but there’s been ample opportunity to give Jones a game there even if it’s a cameo just to get him used to playing in the side in a position that suits him.
At the beginning of this season, Jones looked like a world-beater, confident, powerful, energetic and fearless, he was even -albeit erroneously – compared to the great Duncan Edwards, now he’s more likely to be compared to Eddie the Eagle Edwards such has been his fall from grace.
The point is though, this isn’t Jones’s fault, he’s been moved around at the wrong times, made to play when he should have been rested and rested when he should have been given a game. The game against Wigan was a case in point. Jones desperately asked for help from his team mates when closing down the Pie Eaters for their goal, none was forthcoming, then later on in the game struggling with injury and unable to be subbed because United had used all our substitutes, it was a sorry sight, seeing the youngster hobbling about as Ryan Giggs inexplicably aimed a pass at him.
Jones is a class player of that there can be little doubt, but not a right back or even centre back and certainly not once every five or six games where he’s given no chance to even begin getting into the rhythm of being a regular fixture in the Reds defence.
Next season Jones should be used more as a midfielder a position he seems perfectly suited to, lets hope that him and Tom Cleverley can lead United into the next title challenge.
Have I been too kind to the player and too harsh on the manager? Is Jones the real deal? Feel free to share your thoughts below:
You make good points about Jones’ excessive rotation and that being detrimental to him, but you are very wrong about him and central midfield. Maybe he could be decent enough to play defensive midfield in a midfield 3, but he is not at all good enough to play in a midfield two. He played there a number of times in poor MUFC performances (Basel away one that sticks in the mind, but there are others as well).
Phil Jones is a defender, whether that may be right back or center back. He needs to be given ONE position and told to focus on that other wise he is just going to become a very expensive John O’Shea.
Its great that he is versatile, but sometimes its easier for an experienced player to cover more positions than a young player, because that young player needs to focus on his development. Jones isn’t going to become the next Rio Ferdinand or Gary Neville by playing 60 games next season, 20 at RB, 20 at CB and 20 in CM. He could though, if he plays 30 and plays most of them in one position.
fuck off this guy is no o’shea.he was overated n we were stupid enough to buy him.i wish we bought varane.but may be he will be the next star lets wait n see.
But wait, if jones is no O’shea doesn’t that bode well for us? I seem to remember O’shea being the next big thing and then not exactly fulfilling that promise :p
@redunited
Are you for real? The lad has BAGS of talent, he’s only 19 and can claim to be a first team player….
The idea of Cleverley and Jones forming a successful central midfield partnership next season makes my pants fill with precum
Ahahah, nice line “makes my pants fiill with precum” fucking quality.
But on a more seriouse not, Cleverley- will he be another Owen, constantly out injured??
Far too harsh on the manager, u saw the attrocious crosses he delivered against Man City and u think hes better suited to play in the midfield? Jones has not been in form at all in the ‘squeaky bum time’. He has to take full responsibility for his faillings, he was one of the real weak links in that dissapointing night.
I know its popular with a significant number of our ‘fans’ these days to slate Fergie but everyone needs to get a grip!!!! People need to remember Fergie is a human being and we need to face facts, we are NOT the best of teams! Its a blessing that we’re even fighting for top spot. The season is not over yet, City have to play Newcastle, all Newcastle need to do is take 2 points off them and we SHOULD in the league. We cant slip up anymore, forget about the Evertons and the Wigans and REALLY go for it now……
Jones has not only been used too much. He isnt good enough yet either. Not that I know who the manager has had to choose from in different games, but I dont think I would even bring him amoung the 18(?) doing the warmups. He is young, yes, but thats all. Even thou it was Smallings mistake that made us lose against City, I think he is much better than Jones – especially at right back and probably in midfield too.
To be honest, I cant see what Ferguson is seeing in Jones. He is too weak as a central defender or misplaced – it could just have been him and not Smalling making that error.
Going forward he is nothing short of terrible. I actually cant think of a worse rightback playing for United ever. Or the last 30+years that I have been watching. When he is used in a central position he never makes any pass forward or even sideways – they all go safe backwards.
I am probably harsch on the guy and he should probably been eased into the team – instead of, as this year, being playing because of injuries. I still find Rafael, Smalling, Fabio, Valencia or ANY player with a right foot more suited at playing right back than Jones.
Ferguson makes strange decissions at times, the use of Jones is one.
Anyone remember this season before Cleverley got injured at Bolton?
United were awesome!!!
We have never been better. We dominated City totally at Wembley (example). There were no Giggs, Scholes or Park in that team. We beat Arsenal with a team on average 1 year YOUNGER than the gooners had.
Somewhere along the way with the injuries to Cleverley and Anderson, I think Ferguson lost his way. Instead of the “old guard” being “around”, they have been seen as instrumental. Yes, it is impressive with Giggs still playing with the same hunger after all that he has won, but…
Jones has got his share from me. I dont think its the guys fault in any way. Of course you play when you are told. I rather we get rid of Ferdinand. He has never been the leader he was at Leeds and what a player he would be if he hadnt been that arrogant (on the field that is). Now that he is slower, there should be no room for him at United. Vs City I didnt see him win any balls. Our defence is the only area where City outrank really us – with what?
Jones will get there, he’s a young but very talented boy. Criticising Fergie over his treatment is nonesense, Lee Sharpe played left back several times, so did Giggsy, all part of Fergies blooding of talented young players. Fergie gets some wrong, but mostly he gets it right and we have been the grateful recipients since 1991. Maybe he ends up getting it wrong this season, maybe he gets it right. I care which one it is and I’ll be devastated if it’s the former, but I still trust and believe in the man and always will.
As for John O’Shea, he was the reason I broke my foot when he scored that winner in the last minute against Looneypool. Had he not won the game, there is no way I would have gone mental celebrating. B@$!@9D.
i don’t believe all the hype about this boy..baresi my ass…he looks like a lumberjack these days….
For me Jones is a defender full stop. He does not have the finesse and technique required from a midfielder in the modern age. He usually looks a little lost when playing in that position the Bilbao game was a good example of that.
I thought he did a good job last week remember City had only three shots on goal in their own backyard and if Smalling could have done better from that corner it could a different scenario we are facing.
Eventually Jones will settle at centre back, remember he is only 19.
ARE YOU MAD why is rafa not mentioned at rb? when has he been good in cm? he is overused because he is awful Duncan Edwards will be turning hearing this clown is mentioned in the same bracket, headless chicken