Phil Jones’ performance characterised a dismal night for Man United

Reuben Pinder

A night to forget.

Over the years, we have seen two sides to Phil Jones. Sometimes, when his confidence is high and he’s fit – two factors which rarely coincide – he shows why Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Blackburn. On other occasions, all foot-eye coordination seems to disappear and he can make you question how he’s still at Manchester United. Sir Alex once asserted that Jones could be United’s best player ever, a prediction which seems to have cursed Jones’ career.

Tonight was one of his worse nights. Playing to the left of Chris Smalling, he never looked comfortable. United were completely disjointed but Jones’ performance was a real low point for José Mourinho’s side. Spurs caught United sleeping at the start of the match, scoring after just 11 seconds. A lofted pass from Eric Dier towards Spurs’ attacking quartet was won by Harry Kane who beat Jones in an aerial duel before Dele Alli picked up the second ball. His blocked shot fell to Christian Eriksen who made no mistake in slotting it home. The game was almost over before it had started.

After a calamitous start, Jones’ night went from bad to worse as his badly timed attempt at clearing Kieran Trippier’s cross flew straight past David De Gea and doubled Spurs’ lead.

Chris Smalling wasn’t much better, the only aspect of his performance marginally better than his defensive partner’s being the absence of “(OG)” next to his name on the scoreline.

Man United’s comedy duo tend to spark chaos among the United fanbase when they start alongside each other and tonight showed why.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Manchester United’s Comedy duo… pic.twitter.com/xDEf7bebnj

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 31, 2018

A trademark nutmeg from Alli in the opening stages of the second half that left Jones for dead almost led to Spurs’ third goal of the night, but Heing-min Son couldn’t find the corner of the net.

Jose Mourinho, evidently livid, took Paul Pogba off for Marouane Fellaini, who then came off ten minutes later due to an injury. The substitution summed up United’s night; even when they tried to change it up and be more direct, nothing was coming off. It is thought Fellaini was taken off after just 10 minutes on the pitch due to injury, but it wouldn’t have been a surprise if it was a tactical decision after Mourinho changed his mind.

For those of you that just nipped to the toilet for a minute there, Marouane Fellaini has been subbed on and off. Yes, really.

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 31, 2018

United never grew into the game. They were second best in every department, particularly in defence. Jan Vertonghen’s expert display made Jones and Smalling look like Sunday league defenders.

Marcos Rojo has a tendency to make rash decisions, but his exclusion from the starting XI confused some before the game and plenty more after Jones’ car crash of a performance.

Jose Mourinho has seen enough of the first half, and has already made his way to the dressing room to try and sell Phil Jones.

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) January 31, 2018

When Phil Jones finally *does* turn into the next Duncan Edwards, it’s going to be one hell of a plot twist.

— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) January 31, 2018