Jones STARTS for Man United in crucial showdown with Liverpool

Phil Jones STARTS for Manchester United in their crucial showdown with Liverpool at Anfield… getting the nod for the second time under Ralf Rangnick three months on from his return from the wilderness against Wolves

  • Phil Jones has been included in Man United’s starting XI away at Liverpool
  • Jones is making his second Premier League start of the season on Merseyside
  • He last got the nod under Ralf Rangnick in a defeat vs Wolves back in January
  • Now the defender has been picked by Rangnick again over three months on
  • Jones will be deployed in a back three with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof 

Phil Jones has been included in Manchester United’s starting lineup for their crunch clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

United have made the trip to Merseyside on Tuesday night to lock horns with their bitter rivals, with a victory required to keep their hunt for Champions League qualification alive.

Yet Ralf Rangnick’s team selection has certainly raised a few eyebrows, as the interim boss has given Jones the nod for the first time in over three months.

After going 712 days without playing for United, Jones was brought out of the wilderness by Rangnick in January, starting and performing well in their 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves while providing cover for defenders who were unavailable at the time.

Phil Jones has been included in Man United’s starting lineup for their clash with Liverpool

His only other outing this season was a 30-minute cameo during their penalty shootout defeat against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on February 4.

But now the 30-year-old has been thrown back into action against none other than Liverpool, the Premier League title contenders who are still challenging on all four fronts this season.

He will start Tuesday night’s encounter as part of a back three, sitting alongside captain Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

Raphael Varane’s absence explains Jones’ return to the side, although he has made it into the XI ahead of Eric Bailly, who settles for a place on the bench. 

Jones has not started for United since being brought back into the side vs Wolves in January

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have been deployed as wing-backs, while Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba are in the middle of the park. 

In attack, Bruno Fernandes will likely be positioned just behind Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga.

Cristiano Ronaldo is absent for United on Merseyside after being granted compassionate leave following the tragic death of his newborn son.

Both sets of players will wear black armbands in support of Ronaldo and there will be a minute’s applause in the seventh minute at Anfield for the Red Devils forward.




Share this article


Source: Read Full Article