Phil Jones was destined to become a Manchester United legend, but injuries meant his talents didn’t materialise. But he’s still entertaining the internet

Phil Jones is still only 30 years old, yet it is safe to say he will never fulfil his potential. And it was enormous. After all, it wasn’t for nothing that Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford and it wasn’t for nothing that he relied on him as soon as he arrived. So this is another wasted talent.

At the age of 18, he was already playing regularly in the Premier League

Phil Jones was born in 1992 in Preston, near Blackburn. It was in the jersey of Blackburn Rovers, formerly a traditional Premier League participant, that he started playing at the age of 10. He gradually worked his way up through all age groups to the A-team.

He made his debut for the Rovers first team in September 2009. However, it was in a cup match. He made his league debut in March 2010, a month after turning 18. He made such a good impression in his first Premier League game that he won a permanent place in the squad.

He also won a new five-year contract. But he didn’t keep it. In the new season, he became a key player for Rovers. In addition to his footballing talent and ability, he impressed with his character. He was a natural leader, and he made sacrifices for the team.

It was this package that attracted the attention of the famous Sir Alex Ferguson. He did not hesitate to bring him to Manchester United in 2011. At the age of 19 for 20 million euros. For the time, it was a considerable sum. But Jones gave no reason to doubt.

He made a great start to his new job, only to be ravaged by injuries

Phil Jones went to what was then clearly the best club in England. There was also huge competition at the club. Manchester United were then relying on the legendary duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. However, fortunately, he also played at defensive midfielder or on the right edge of defence.

It’s worth noting that almost immediately after the transfer, Jones also got to play for the England national team. During his career he collected 23 of them.

Overall, he started the first year perfectly. He played most of the games and still in the starting line-up. Proving that his purchase was not a mistake. Plus, Chris Smalling was already at the club and he and Jones looked like a great pairing.

A lot of fans were excited. Typologically and stylistically, they were reminiscent of the Vidic, Ferdinand duo. Jones as a leader and a dedicated leader with the necessary dose of aggression and competitiveness, Smalling as an intelligent stopper who can look elegant even when defending.

But Jones’s second season has already indicated that all will not be so rosy. He missed many games due to injuries and unfortunately it was not the last time. He didn’t play as many games as he did in his first season.

However, it is worth mentioning that Jones put in many fantastic performances. In his first season, for example, he already erased Cristiano Ronaldo in a mutual match with Real Madrid. He was supposed to guard him personally and he did it perfectly. You could hardly see the Portuguese in the match, while Jones had a full field.

When he missed the rematch due to injury, Manchester United lost and Ronaldo had a much better day. He also provided the winning goal.

It wasn’t just eternal hope that made Jones a laughing stock

When a player suffers an injury at a club for too long, there is often a sale. But this was not the case with Phil Jones. He didn’t play much due to injuries, but fans could always appreciate that when he did come on, he left everything on the pitch.

But hoping after every injury that he was the last one and that the next one wouldn’t come proved to be inappropriate. Both for the player and for the club. Jones has become a laughing stock, Manchester United a target of criticism.

But that wasn’t all that made Jones the man who became an internet legend. Worth noting are the many photographs that entertain fans around the world. The English stopper has a talent for various grimaces.

Jones no longer has any prospects at the club. Still, he earns 75,000 a month and enjoys life at the club he loves. He’s not leaving. He’s not moaning. When he gets a chance, he doesn’t disappoint. On an even lower salary, no one would say a word.

He’s 30 years old. It’s too much to expect him to make it at any other club. The question is whether he’ll be wanted at all. His contract is up in the summer and it’s questionable whether it will be extended.

It’s a great shame that injuries haven’t allowed Jones to fulfil his potential. That was really huge.

Source: Manchester United, Transfermarkt