Phil Jones perhaps needs to have a word with himself – or his social media manager.
There is no doubting that the Manchester United defender’s heart is in the right place, and he doesn’t come across as the type to have a focused strategy regarding his own personal brand and image rights.
Nevertheless, the fact he has his own ‘logo’ which he (or his representatives) add to his social media posts has caused much amusement amongst fans who see him as an unlikely ‘brand’.
However, his latest post – clearly meant as a tribute – has p*ssed off a fair few United supporters.
Saturday marked the 58th anniversary of the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958, which resulted in 23 fatalities, including eight of the legendary Busby Babes.
Jones tweeted the following image to mark the occasion…
https://twitter.com/PhilJones4/status/695922644877778944
It is of course a poignant image and a tender sentiment. But the addition of the player’s logo and official social media links emblazoned over the black and white image was seen by many as crass and insensitive.
They certainly made their unhappiness clear…
https://twitter.com/UtdRantcast/status/696028524436705280
@PhilJones4 Phil. I'll happily explain to you and/or your twitter monkeys why this is fucked up
— No Question About That (@nqatpod) February 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/aboycalledyoung/status/695943196585631744
“@PhilJones4: Never forget #flowersofmanchester #BusbyBabes https://t.co/qsE6UaprLl” Jesus Christ is there anything sacred from branding?
— Pilib De Brún (Phil Brown) (@Malachians) February 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/Yahnited/status/696104490177589248
https://twitter.com/SnakehipsSam/status/696126507647901696
WTF @PhilJones4 .I know footballers are not known for their intelligence but seriously take that muck off the picture, have some respect.
— John Killeen (@surfacezebra) February 7, 2016