Phil Jones names marquee signing who looked ‘lost’ at Manchester United; Van Gaal didn’t help
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has reflected on his time at Old Trafford in an interview with ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand.
Jones joined United towards the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s spell at the club, winning the Premier League in 2012/13, but he also experienced the lows that came following the Scot’s retirement.
After Fergie called it a day, Jones played under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
The defender, who now coaches the youths at United, discussed the difficulties that come with playing for the biggest club in the world.
Jones gave insight into the arrival of marquee 2014 marquee signing Angel Di Maria, who joined the Reds from Real Madrid after winning the Champions League. He singled out the Argentine attacker for looking like a ‘lost soul’ making his debut for the club against Burnley.
Di Maria started the game in midfield, playing 70 minutes before being replaced by Anderson after taking a knock.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand via YouTube, Jones said: “I look at Angel di Maria I think ‘wow’. I remember his first game away at Burnley, I remember getting into the dressing room, tight as anything, he looked like a little lost soul.
“He got absolutely battered, absolutely mullered. Every time he got the ball, ‘whack’.”
Di Maria never fully adapted to English football as he left United for Paris Saint-Germain after just one season at Old Trafford.
Louis van Gaal didn’t help Angel Di Maria at Manchester United
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Jones added that Di Maria never settled at United and reveals that relations between the winger and Louis van Gaal weren’t strong.
“He never really got United. Maybe the manager didn’t help, he didn’t get along with him.
“I’ve seen so many players, they don’t perform because the shirt’s so heavy, and they go on to do well in their career.”
It must be noted that Jones described Van Gaal as the best tactician he played under at United, which is a belief that has been echoed by others in the past, including Wayne Rooney.
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