Phil Jones has not
played since he strained ligaments in a clash with Jobi McAnuff in
Manchester United's FA Cup win over Reading. Photograph: Darren
Staples/Reuters
Phil Jones has a week to recover for Manchester United's Champions League
last-16 second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford next Tuesday
with the 21-year-old yet to resume training following his ankle injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to have him available after his impressive
performance during the sides' draw in the first leg.
Jones suffered strained ligaments in a clash with Reading's Jobi McAnuff during the 2-1 FA Cup win over Reading on 18 February. In United's 1-1 draw with Madrid at the Bernabéu the previous week Jones, who is more usually a defender, was detailed to play in midfield by Ferguson to help shackle Cristiano Ronaldo and was one of his side's best performers.
After the display, Ferguson said: "At 20 years of age, he is going to be a fantastic player, I am sure about that. Whether he plays midfield or centre-back it doesn't bother him and he gives me great options."
The club's medical department and Jones are hopeful that he may yet be fit to face Madrid but as there is still some soreness he has not been able to train. The injury is the latest blow to a player whose season had already been disrupted by serious knee and back injuries that meant he was unable to play until late November.
Nemanja Vidic, the United captain, is still feeling his way back into regular football following his two knee injuries during the past 12 months. But the central defender, who has made only 14 starts since last December, is hopeful he will soon be able to play every week.
Vidic, 31, is having to carefully select which matches to feature in and admits his knee can swell up after matches. He said: "With playing Wednesday and Saturday, some games I have to think if it's good for myself to play or not," the Serb told BBC Radio Manchester. "After every game I feel better and better, which is a good sign. Sometimes I will get reactions, sometimes not."
Vidic was not risked in the side that faced Madrid in Spain after he played against Everton the weekend before, with Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand chosen by Ferguson. "When I have got through two or three months without injuries, I will be fine," Vidic said. "It's not long term. It's normal procedure after this kind of operation. We have to manage the knee for the next two or three months and after that it's going to be normal."
Danny Welbeck, who scored United's goal in the away draw against Madrid, believes the header was his the most important strike. "It was a great feeling to get a goal at the Bernabéu, especially because of the whole occasion with all our fans travelling over and with it being such a big game," he told MUTV. "It was a big goal – probably the biggest goal I've scored. It's something you strive for since being a little kid. Playing for Manchester United in one of the biggest games made me feel proud and it gives you motivation to strive for more."
United lead City by 12 points in the Premier League and before the return match with Madrid they welcome Norwich City on Saturday. "The manager and coaching staff keep reiterating the fact that the next game is the most important," added Welbeck. "I think the whole squad has got that into their heads and we've all got the same mentality of going into the next game and needing to win to gain momentum. Once we come to the Real Madrid game, we'll see what happens. It will be good not to have to travel anywhere for the next four matches in a row and we can try to get wins in every single game."
After Norwich and Madrid, United also have home games against either Middlesbrough or Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the visit of Reading on 16 March.
Sumber : http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/26/phil-jones-manchester-united-real-madrid
Jones suffered strained ligaments in a clash with Reading's Jobi McAnuff during the 2-1 FA Cup win over Reading on 18 February. In United's 1-1 draw with Madrid at the Bernabéu the previous week Jones, who is more usually a defender, was detailed to play in midfield by Ferguson to help shackle Cristiano Ronaldo and was one of his side's best performers.
After the display, Ferguson said: "At 20 years of age, he is going to be a fantastic player, I am sure about that. Whether he plays midfield or centre-back it doesn't bother him and he gives me great options."
The club's medical department and Jones are hopeful that he may yet be fit to face Madrid but as there is still some soreness he has not been able to train. The injury is the latest blow to a player whose season had already been disrupted by serious knee and back injuries that meant he was unable to play until late November.
Nemanja Vidic, the United captain, is still feeling his way back into regular football following his two knee injuries during the past 12 months. But the central defender, who has made only 14 starts since last December, is hopeful he will soon be able to play every week.
Vidic, 31, is having to carefully select which matches to feature in and admits his knee can swell up after matches. He said: "With playing Wednesday and Saturday, some games I have to think if it's good for myself to play or not," the Serb told BBC Radio Manchester. "After every game I feel better and better, which is a good sign. Sometimes I will get reactions, sometimes not."
Vidic was not risked in the side that faced Madrid in Spain after he played against Everton the weekend before, with Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand chosen by Ferguson. "When I have got through two or three months without injuries, I will be fine," Vidic said. "It's not long term. It's normal procedure after this kind of operation. We have to manage the knee for the next two or three months and after that it's going to be normal."
Danny Welbeck, who scored United's goal in the away draw against Madrid, believes the header was his the most important strike. "It was a great feeling to get a goal at the Bernabéu, especially because of the whole occasion with all our fans travelling over and with it being such a big game," he told MUTV. "It was a big goal – probably the biggest goal I've scored. It's something you strive for since being a little kid. Playing for Manchester United in one of the biggest games made me feel proud and it gives you motivation to strive for more."
United lead City by 12 points in the Premier League and before the return match with Madrid they welcome Norwich City on Saturday. "The manager and coaching staff keep reiterating the fact that the next game is the most important," added Welbeck. "I think the whole squad has got that into their heads and we've all got the same mentality of going into the next game and needing to win to gain momentum. Once we come to the Real Madrid game, we'll see what happens. It will be good not to have to travel anywhere for the next four matches in a row and we can try to get wins in every single game."
After Norwich and Madrid, United also have home games against either Middlesbrough or Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the visit of Reading on 16 March.
Sumber : http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/26/phil-jones-manchester-united-real-madrid
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