[RedStarUnited]

He must be more pissed off than we are about this to be fair. But something needs to be done. Giggs needs to raise it up to LVG.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We can blame Hodgson for keeping him on for about 15 minutes after he first got injured mind you.

Very hard for a manager to intervene when a player tries to run off a niggle.

 

[acnumber9]

Very hard for a manager to intervene when a player tries to run off a niggle.

It's very easy really. The player can't do anything if his number is held up on the board. I don't think any manager would've done much different though. Manchester United are not his concern after all.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It's very easy really. The player can't do anything if his number is held up on the board. I don't think any manager would've done much different though. Manchester United are not his concern after all.

I've seen Fergie let Manchester United players hobble round with obvious injuries for ages, though. From the sidelines looking on it's impossible to tell a touch of cramp, or a bit of a dead leg from a torn muscle. Immediately after it happened, I was wondering if maybe Jones had got a knee to the arse, the way he was holding it. You have to rely on the player being sensible enough to let them know he can't continue or at least sit down and get properly assessed by the physio. Typical of Jones to try and run off what was obviously a more serious injury than he thought. Too brave for his own good.

 

[Trizy]

Poor Jones.. just imagine how good him and Rafael could become if they weren't plagued by injuries.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Our defenders injury records are appalling.

 

[Moonred]

Is jones actually awkward in his technique which causes injuries so often? Even if it's not always long term and fast recovery, he always seems to suffer from them.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Just when he started to get a run of games and finding some form, he gets injured. Typical really. Just hope he can pick up where he left off when he gets back.

Get well soon, Jonesy!

 

[Shurou]

I was thinking Jones was lasting too long without being injured.

 

[tom porter]

He needs to stop getting injured every 2-3 weeks so he can form an established partnership with one of our 3 cb's and iron out the defensive errors and poor positioning that plague his game. I'm just frustrated by how much his progress has stalled the last 18 months.

 

[fallengt]

Jones tended to injure himself after 2-3 good performances, this time he made it >1 months. Progression !!11

 

[Sammyjunn]

He needs to stop getting injured every 2-3 weeks so he can form an established partnership with one of our 3 cb's and iron out the defensive errors and poor positioning that plague his game. I'm just frustrated by how much his progress has stalled the last 18 months.

I'm wondering, how many of our players have actually improved since SAF left? Besides de Gea? I even think Januzaj isnt much better at the moment than he was when he broke into the first team/

 

[togg]

He's really turning into a sick note. His hamstring probably contorts the same way as his face does whenever he goes into a tackle. He's doing something that isn't working...not sure what mind...but if it continues you can't put him down as a regular in the future..because he won't be regular...

 

[krazyrobus]

Wes Brown 2. Too hyped up and therefore too reckless when going into tackles and thus invariably gets injuries. It's even worse for Jones because his tackling technique is terrible.

 

[united_99]

Clearly they are both very talented but something clearly needs to change in regards to Jones' and Rafael's injuries. Is it because they played so many games at a very young age at the highest level?

Messi and Giggs were injury prone too when they were young. There are other examples like Varane, Thiago, Aguero and Wilshere. So it's not really necessarily limited to United, but really frustrating as everytime the players pick up form they seem to get injured again and are then not just ruled out for a week, but usually various months!

 

[Sam]

What a massive surprise, Phil Jones being injured is as predictable as night turning into day.

 

[Americano]

If he has to retire from too many concussions, I could really see him hosting a nature show in New Zealand. Phil Jones on safari fighting rhinos and provoking whales into confrontations, that sort of thing. It would be so easy to write the script and he would probably be safer amongst predators than in places like a crowded penalty box.

 

[ZDwyr]

It's really bad that he is out. Like really bad. I don't care about our 'new and improved' attack that much. They'll probably be great, but our defence (which was weak) has gotten a lot weaker with Jones out. We'll be conceding a few goals until we get the defence settled.

 

[Sixpence]

We desperately need him back. If not for the only reason that he isn't soft as shit and won't get pushed around.

 

[ZDwyr]

We desperately need him back. If not for the only reason that he isn't soft as shit and won't get pushed around.

yep. Need someone who has the guts to show some leadership.

 

[Freak]

When will he be back. Our only defender with some leadership.

 

[Bojan11]

If we start him next week then old Woy will pick him for England the next week.

 

[the hea]

He is expected to be back for the Everton game in two weeks.

 

[Yorkeontop]

So Evans aint up to it,Smalling as well. Surely not Jones as well. The other 2 are looking like back up at best.

 

[ThanksBoss26]

When will he be back. Our only defender with some leadership.

I hope they prove me very wrong, but there's no way Evans and Smalling will ever become the 'leader' of our defence in my opinion. Squad players capable of some very good games, yes, they've proven they can be that but they're just not capable of any more in my opinion.

At 22 I haven't given up on Jones being able to become that leader. Looking from a distance, he has far more skills in this area than the other two, but still is injury prone and capable of some poor decision making himself.

But at the moment, if he's fit, he plays. We really need him to fulfill his potential.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I would have been a lot happier if it had been Phil Jones coming on for Evans than Smalling. At least he would have tried to organise the defence a bit more. He is more of a leader.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I hope they prove me very wrong, but there's no way Evans and Smalling will ever become the 'leader' of our defence in my opinion. Squad players capable of some very good games, yes, they've proven they can be that but they're just not capable of any more in my opinion.

At 22 I haven't given up on Jones being able to become that leader. Looking from a distance, he has far more skills in this area than the other two, but still is injury prone and capable of some poor decision making himself.

But at the moment, if he's fit, he plays. We really need him to fulfill his potential.

The injuries are the only thing holding the lad back, he has the talent, but his progress is being held back. It's either injuries to himself or elsewhere in the team, so he get shunted out to RB or midfield.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Most people talking about the lack of a leader in our back, but I honestly feel Jones can step up and be that guy for us. He had a great start to the season, it was just a pity he picked up an injury.

Once he's back, I really hope he can stay fit, because like I said, I think he could really step up for us this season.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Most people talking about the lack of a leader in our back, but I honestly feel Jones can step up and be that guy for us. He had a great start to the season, it was just a pity he picked up an injury.

Once he's back, I really hope he can stay fit, because like I said, I think he could really step up for us this season.

I agree. I think he has stepped up alot this season already. Our best defender by a distance. I really want him to stay fit and establish himself for club and country. I don't doubt his ability one bit, but he just can't get a run of games, which is a shame.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Good news at last

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...for-Premier-League-clash-against-Everton.html

 

[charleysurf]

Good news at last

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...for-Premier-League-clash-against-Everton.html

VG might be cagey about putting him in straight away. And also, if he plays he will have to play for England as well.

But generally we need Jones back, and staying fit for the season. He's easily our best CB. I'd want him in games like Everton and Chelsea. Hard to believe he's still just 22.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

Is he necessarily better than Smalling/Rojo/Evans?

I think the thing he has, that they don't is leadership, I see that bit extra from him, perhaps it's his Stamina but I do think if he sorts himself out this season, as he is a lot younger than Smalling, Rojo & Evans, he will become 1st choice still, it will be Jones & 1, it's just how long before that happens...

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Is he necessarily better than Smalling/Rojo/Evans?

I think the thing he has, that they don't is leadership, I see that bit extra from him, perhaps it's his Stamina but I do think if he sorts himself out this season, as he is a lot younger than Smalling, Rojo & Evans, he will become 1st choice still, it will be Jones & 1, it's just how long before that happens...

He has been, so far this season.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

He has been, so far this season.

Unfortunately, I've coincidentally missed his apps this season, he hasn't been his position-less rash self?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Unfortunately, I've coincidentally missed his apps this season, he hasn't been his position-less rash self?

He's been really good. Lumbered with that crappy 352 formation, he was the only central defender to look in any way decent.

 

[Ish]

Getting and keeping Jones fit should be our top priority atm. Him, next to Rojo, could work well.

 

[orangeboom999]

I think Jones and Rojo could be quite a decent pairing at the back eventually. Both are really combatitive and Jones played really well until his injury.

 

[girish]

Unfortunately, I've coincidentally missed his apps this season, he hasn't been his position-less rash self?

His positioning is still very dodgy.

 

[Devil may care]

If he's fit enough to train fully all week then I am sure he'll start against Everton, but LvG should have a word with Hodgson about not playing him for England as another 2 matches in quick succession is not ideal, and England can surely beat Estonia and San Marino without him.

 

[Kag]

Good to know we've got another defender on the way back. I'd throw him straight in at the weekend.