A Closer Look At How Phil Jones Bossed The Game In Manchester United’s Win Over Shakhtar
David Moyes has been feeling the pressure recently as Manchester United have fallen down the Premier League table and came into their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on the back of two home defeats. So, ahead of the game it would have been natural for the Old Trafford side to be feeling slightly nervous, despite their place in the next round already being booked. One man took it upon himself to drag United to victory and that was Phil Jones.
The powerful midfielder was deployed in the midfield in a defensive position, commonly known as the anchorman role, and he thrived in it. Although not the most mobile individual player in the world, Jones was more than willing to get himself round the pitch and squeeze opponents out of the ball.
He went in for two tackles, winning both, and his intelligence was shown as he won four interceptions during the 90 minutes. He chipped in with four clearances and won five of the seven headers that he went up for, providing a defensive base for Shinji Kagawa and the like to get forward.
His distribution was also impressive, as he completed 54 of the 59 of the passes he attempted which gives him a completion rate of 92%.
I haven’t even mentioned his goal yet. It was a clever finish from inside the box and acted as a crowning moment on a fine display.
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