Manchester United defender Phil Jones is desperate for a run of games after hitting back at critics who say that he is injury prone.
The 22 year old,who signed for Manchester United in a deal worth up to 21.4m Euros in 2011 has seen his playing time seriously limited by a raft of injuries sustained in his first few years at the club. But Jones reckons that he is more unlucky that injury prone.
‘I started the pre-season and played every single game and every single training session,’ he said. ‘Then, on international duty, I pulled my hamstring and I have never had a muscle injury so it was disappointing.
‘When I was coming back I then had shin splints. It has been unfortunate. I have been doing a lot of work in the gym and hopefully that will stand me in good stead for the rest of the season.
Football is all about opinions and we have always been big fans of Jones. He’s taken some serious criticism of late, particularly at international level. But we believe that if Jones were to prove his fitness he would find himself a nailed-on starter for Manchester United and England at centre back. When fit, he’s easily Manchester United’s best centre-half but the problem has always been keeping him off the treatment table. But he says that now he’s got one goal:
‘My aim right now is to stay fit and stay focused and get a run of games under my belt.’
Jones is a full-blooded player who seems to have little regard for his general well being when three points are at stake. His desire is not in question but it could get him in trouble if he keeps getting crocked.
Alas, if he can modify this sometimes risky behaviour then he can be a star at Manchester United. But, with a ruthless boss at the helm, too many more injuries and Jones (along with the likes of Chris Smalling and Rafael da Silva) could be deemed unfit for cause and shipped out as part of the Van Gaal revolution.
Let’s see Jones in action. Manchester United fans: worth keeping?
