SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 11 hrs 26 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Rio Ferdinand criticism of Phil Jones

:Headline: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Rio Ferdinand criticism of Phil Jones:
The defender last played for the club in January 2020 due to a knee injury.
Sports Mole

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back at former team-mate Rio Ferdinand's criticism of defender Phil Jones.

The 29-year-old is currently working his way back from a knee injury and has not played a competitive game for the club since January last year, prompting Ferdinand to accuse him of taking up the place of an Academy player.

However, Solskjaer has launched an impassioned defence of the player having himself been through a similar situation.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, the United boss said: "I know more than anyone what it feels like to be injured at that stage.

"Since I came here, he's battled against this knee injury and he put his body on the line every single training session, every single game.

"There are a few times we have had to manage him, and he's never done anything but give everything for the club. Rio, of all, he should know more than to go out and say this."

Jones, whose last appearance came in a 6-0 FA Cup fourth round victory at Tranmere in which he scored on January 26, 2020, is gradually edging back towards full fitness and played in a behind-closed-doors match against Burnley last week.

However, given what he has been through, Solskjaer is in no mood to rush him back.

He said: "I've not said too much about Phil's injury because I have more or less protected him. Phil's never on social media, never asked to do interviews, he just gets his head down, proper, proper professional, no fuss, family man and just wants to get back fit.

"We managed to get him half an hour against Burnley which was the first half an hour against an opponent, he's played here in training. He's working his way.

"I was out for two years in a three-year period with a knee injury and Phil has battled valiantly, I'd say. I know how Phil has felt because you're embarrassed sometimes coming in.

"But he has to look after his career and he's now getting back to fitness. Now is not the time for me to throw him in because I think if we give him a little bit more, maybe a month, six weeks behind closed doors, he'll be there.

"For me as a manager to see that he can see the light at the end of the tunnel, it's great because I've been through the same."

body check tags ::

amp_article__461175 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-27 15:19:27:
html db last update - 2021-08-27 15:19:27 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
JF
Read Next:
Cristiano Ronaldo 'convinced to rejoin Man Utd by former teammates'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Phil Jones Rio Ferdinand Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Cristiano Ronaldo 'convinced to rejoin Man Utd by former teammates'
Chelsea targeting move for Ipswich hotshot with 'exceptional transfer metrics'
Man United 'planning stunning swap deal' for Inter's prolific striker Martinez
Manchester City planning Josko Gvardiol move?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Ipswich vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PI

Chelsea targeting move for Ipswich hotshot with 'exceptional transfer metrics'

2

CT

Preview: Moreirense vs. Porto - prediction, team news, lineups

3

PM

Silva confirms Fulham injury blow ahead of Wolves fixture

4

SC

Preview: Nijmegen vs. Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PN

Saliba's successor: Arsenal pursuing 21-year-old wanted by 'every top English club'

6

SS

Will Shaw, Yoro, Mainoo play? Amorim addresses Man United squad ahead of Ipswich clash

7

WS

Preview: Holstein Kiel vs. Mainz - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PH

Ipswich vs. Man Utd: Head-to-head record and past meetings

9

IV

Will Gyokeres, Quenda arrive? Amorim discusses Man United transfer strategy

10

WG


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .