MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 17:41:20| >> :120:3841:3841:

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

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

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."

ID:461175:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2899:

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in action on August 22, 2021
Read Next:
Cristiano Ronaldo 'convinced to rejoin Man Utd by former teammates'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!