Whenever Phil Jones has played this season, Manchester United have not lost.
The multi-face English defender was drafted in by Jose Mourinho in November and his record has been incredible. United’s record has been better.
Manchester United with Phil Jones (2016/17)
- Played 13
- Won 10
- Drawn 3
- Lost 0
- Conceded 7
- Clean sheets 6
They’ve won nine games in a row now.
Jones returned to fitness in time to sit on the bench during the Fenerbahce defeat in Istanbul at the start of November. Mourinho complained that night that they had two left backs in Blind and Rojo deputising at centre back for them. He wouldn’t have the same complaint again. United wouldn’t have the same problems again.
The manager wasted no time in throwing the 24-year-old straight back into the heart of the Manchester United defence and it paid dividends – especially in the absence of Eric Bailly.
They’ve won six Premier League games on the trot now – it would’ve been seven if it wasn’t for Marouane Fellaini’s ridiculous antics against Everton.
With Jones there for five of them, they’ve conceded just twice.
Listen, he might not go on to become the club’s best ever player, despite Alex Ferguson’s desperate convictions.
He might not even be part of Mourinho’s plans for next season because, let’s face it, Bailly’s the man and any of the rest of them there now are just second string to the Ivorian.
He might royally piss you off because all he wants to do is defend. He doesn’t want to play football. He doesn’t want the ball. He wants to ‘get rid’.
But under, Phil Jones, Manchester United are getting results. Every single time in fact.
They haven’t lost with him this year.
John Stones might be the idealistic, aspirational English defender. He moves more gracefully. He wants to carry the ball. He wants to keep possession. He wants to be a pure footballer.
Phil Jones is the reality.
But, do you know what, Phil Jones is effective. John Stones is not.
13 games not out. You can’t argue with those stats.
