Two Championship clubs are being linked with a move for Manchester United player Phil Jones after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old defender is struggling for minutes under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford behind Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Jones, who Sir Alex Ferguson once suggested he could become Man Utd’s best-ever player, may have to drop to the step down to the second tier of English football after ‘fearing his potential move to Burnley could collapse’.
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Derby County, who sit bottom of the Championship table, along with unbeaten Middlesbrough who sit much higher up, could be ready to make a move for him.
Jones has not appeared for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side since the 6-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup in January, where he scored his first goal for United since March 2014.
Four months ago, David Moyes’ West Ham was credited with being interested with signing the ex-England international, however a move failed to materialise.
The only barrier which was stopping the Hammers boss from getting his man was the asking price as he only signed a new four-year deal with Man Utd last year. West Ham were also credited with an interest in Jones back in March.
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The Athletic say that they expect Jones to be one player that’s a really attractive option in the January transfer window. It’s claimed that because he’s technically training in an ‘elite’ environment with Manchester United, he’s going to be a better target than a free-agent currently away from a club.
Here’s just some of what Man Utd fans had to say on Twitter about Jones potentially leaving Old Trafford:
Gareth Ardern: Great player, sad to see him go, loads of clubs will be in for him. Big contract, generational player. £20m bargain.
Steven1980: Can we get this sorted for January? Can’t wait till he leaves.
Sarrwillz: Add Ole to the deal please
John Tring: Yes. His level.
Supporters on Derbyshire Live said on two Championship clubs being linked with a move for Phil Jones:
amanda666: Trust me the last thing Derby needs is old calamity Jones playing for them. He was a liability at United, walk away Derby!!
Hodnett: No thank you, expensive donkey.
AntiMarxists: Not another injury-prone overpaid has been. Rather we got a young CB from Croatia again.
RamaSees: Their first team CBs can’t defend so why would we need their reserves?
As stated on the official Premier League website, Jones has played 200 times in the top-flight, helping to keep 60 clean sheets in that period.
Another plus is his defensive ability. Jones has won a total of 1051 duels in the Premier League, over 400 more than he has lost.
The only doubt would be the countless amount of fitness problems he has suffered in the past.
The centre-back has consistently missed matches due to various different issues in the last few seasons and if he can’t keep himself fit, then it might make Derby County and Middlesbrough look for alternative targets.
JONES’ STATS:
Senior career
2009–2011 – Blackburn Rovers – 35 games (0 goals)
2011– Manchester United – 165 games (2 goals)
National team
2009–2010 – England U19 – 4 games (0 goals)
2010–2011 – England U21 – 9 games (0 goals)
2011– England – 27 games (0 goals)
STYLE OF PLAY:
Known for his physical power and build, Jones has been called a “jack of all trades” for his ability to play at centre-back, right-back or as a defensive midfielder. With his stocky build, opposition players have found it hard to bully Jones off the ball or out-muscle him.
Former Man Utd player Bobby Charlton has said that Jones evoked memories of the late Duncan Edwards, “If you talk to Bobby Charlton”, says Pat Crerand, Charlton’s teammate in United’s 1967–68 European Cup-winning team, “Phil Jones reminds him of Duncan Edwards with his power and build.”
In 2011, England manager Fabio Capello compared Jones to former A.C. Milan and Italy captain Franco Baresi, and former Real Madrid and Spain captain Fernando Hierro.
SEE ALSO: Twitter apologise after Phil Jones is mocked by official UK account
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