Phil Jones facing the United axe without improvement.
Manchester United centre back Phil Jones is facing the Old Trafford axe unless he can show significant improvements within the next four months, report the Sun, after a slow start to the season from the England international has contributed to the United malaise.
Saturday’s Sun back page – “Exclusive – Phil bad factor – Out-of-form Jones facing Utd axe” #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/fS2RYt9D9s
— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) September 5, 2014
Jones started for England against Norway in midweek at centre back and didn’t put a foot wrong – but it is his displays in a back three for United that have been concerning Louis van Gaal, who is still at this stage of reshaping his United squad into something capable of getting back into the Champions League this season.
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Jones was rated as possibly the most exciting young footballer in England when he made the move from Blackburn Rovers to Old Trafford, but has struggled to hold down a regular position in the United side since, perhaps becoming a victim of his own versatility.
Central defence seems like the most comfortable area of the pitch for Jones – and it is also the position in which he is likely to receive chances, with van Gaal operating with three central defenders but not really having enough senior options to do so without giving Jones a chance to prove himself.
If he doesn’t manager to perform, however, it looks as though he could become the latest United player to be shipped out of the club once the transfer window reopens.