During pre-season, Phil Jones and Daley Blind were the top defensive duo. Each game started with them at the back, whilst Chris Smalling was stuck with Jonny Evans in what looked to be the second string line up.
Jones suffered a blood clot in his leg, prior to the first game of the season, which has kept him out of the fold until recently. However, his replacement, Chris Smalling, has been incredible and his partnership with Blind has been quite good so far.
The English defender faces a tough battle to try and get back into the first team. Speaking to MUTV, Jones has provided a positive update on his return to fitness:
“I am fit.”
“I got 20 or 25 minutes against Ipswich, 20 minutes against Sunderland and just under 20 minutes tonight so I am slowly getting back to it and getting my fitness back, and my sharpness back. I feel good, so hopefully I can just stay fit and integrate my way back into the side.”
Jones was also keen to emphasise the magnitude of Manchester United’s win over Wolfsburg, following their loss to PSV Eindhoven:
“It was important that we got back to winning ways in the group after a disappointing start against PSV. We didn’t start the best but I think we finished the game well, we were strong and got the three points.”
“It was a difficult test because they defended well as a defensive unit and made it hard for us to score, but we created quite a few chances in the first half. We probably could have gone in 2-1 up, but overall I think we did well to take the three points.”
Phil Jones also commented on his countryman’s performances this season. Chris Smalling’s goal, and incredible second half performance, helped Manchester United to win the tie. Jones had this to say about Smalling:
“Yeah, he has been brilliant this season,”
“He scored a great goal tonight, with his little run forward at the end as well! But he has been great and I am pleased for him.”
Phil Jones will be looking to continue his return to fitness with an appearance against Arsenal this weekend.
