Michael Owen has stated that the ‘very talented’ Newcastle United target, Phil Jones, has been ‘mocked’ by a lot of people, as he told Stadium Astro.
The former striker played with Jones at Manchester United and shared that he was ‘almost the perfect defender’ when he first arrived at Old Trafford.
On Monday night, Jones returned to action for the first time since January 2020 when he played during Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves.
Despite that defeat, Jones was one of Man United’s best players and he could hold his head high despite the mess around him.
Owen defended the Englishman and what the injury-savaged player has been through over the years.
“He is still a very good player,” said Owen. “A lot of people have mocked him. Made fun of him, his injury record isn’t great.
“We do know his quality, even though a lot of people do mock him. We know that he is a very talented player on his day.
On Jones in training when he was at Man United: “He looked very good. Very quick. Almost the perfect defender for the modern times.”
Given Jones’ situation and Newcastle’s need to bring in fresh faces this month, he has been linked with a move to Newcastle.
More than likely, the former Blackburn defender will probably stay put because the newly-rich Magpies have been linked with every player under the sun.
But, from Jones’ perspective, he will just be glad that he is now playing again because it has been a very tough time for the player.
Given the number of days, 700+, the hard-hitting defender has been out for, he did pretty damn well against an in-form and very strong Wolves side.
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