Manchester United defender Phil Jones has vowed to stake his claim and focus on becoming a regular for Jose Mourinho’s side
The Red Devils have looked off the pace this season under their new manager. Mourinho, despite getting in all the players he wanted in the off-season, has failed to get results. United are unarguably playing a positive and attacking brand of football, but they are failing to pick up wins on a regular basis.
New signing Eric Bailly was an unknown commodity, but has stepped in to become the manager’s number centre-back. Daley Blind started the season as his partner, but has looked far from convincing.
After Bailly picked up an injury, the onus was on Chris Smalling to reignite the bond he shared with Blind last season and deliver for Manchester United, but that has not been the case. The Englishman himself, has been on the receiving end of injuries, which has seen him fail to impress Mourinho.
For United’s last two games, the Portuguese manager decided to start Phil Jones. The Englishman was once the Red Devils’ stalwart at the back has seen his form decline over the years.
However, according to the club’s official website, the 24-year-old has vowed to put his injury nightmare behind him and claim his stake as a regular for Mourinho’s side.
“I have worked hard on my fitness, it has been tough mentally for me and it has been so frustrating. I can’t put into words how frustrating it has been, but that is behind me and I want to move forward to play as many games as I can,” he said.
“I am ready to play but I think I have also got to look after myself as well and think right. If I do feel something then I am honest, but I am ready, I am fit and ready to play,” added the 24-year-old defender.
Jones looked impressive in United’s win against Swansea and did a fairly decent job against Arsenal as well. With Smalling and Blind ready to step into the lineup, it will be interesting to see whether or not Mourinho continues to keep his faith in the centre-back pairing of Rojo and Jones.
