8 of Phil Jones' Worst Manchester United Moments - Ranked

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​In 2013, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that Phil Jones could become one of Manchester United's 'best ever' players. 

However, it's fair to say the Englishman hasn't...quite reached those heights.

Jones has found himself at the bottom of the centre-back pecking order this season at Old Trafford, having started just five matches in all competitions for the Red Devils in 2019/20. However, he was taken off at half time in two of these five games...

Most recently, he suffered another nightmare evening during his ​side's 3-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup first leg on Tuesday evening. 

Despite his calamitous displays over the years, it is worth noting that he is currently one of United's longest serving players. Somehow. Despite all of THIS. 


8. On-the-Floor Header vs Arsenal (17/05/2015)

Where else could we start?

As the ball was floated forwards the United penalty area, Jones was tussling with Olivier Giroud. The ball drifted over Jones' head, allowing the Frenchman to bring it under control.

However, the ​United man refused to give up, but slipped to the floor in his efforts to prevent the Arsenal man, with the ball hitting his head and falling into the path of Giroud. Despite this, Jones remained on the ground and crawled towards the ball before heading it against Giroud to win his side a goal kick. Is it fair to call this one of his worst moments if it worked? We're saying yes. 

Carnage.

It may have worked this time, but how did he end up in that situation anyway?  


7. Own Goal vs Newcastle (04/01/2012)

Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat away to ​Newcastle back in 2012. Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye's goals had put the hosts in control, but United's day went from bad to worse when Jones scored an extraordinary own goal. 

A ball was played long (again), but Jones misjudged the flight of the ball (again) and let it bounce before accidentally turning it into his own net - without anyone near him.

Impressive? It was a windy day, to be fair. 


6. Penalty vs Sunderland (22/01/2014)

Sunderland had won the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi final against United 2-1. In the second leg, Jonny Evans scored the only goal of the game in normal time at Old Trafford to send it to extra time. 

Phil Bardsley netted in the final minute to put the Black Cats back in front once more but, in dramatic fashion, Javier Hernandez rescued the Red Devils with his late goal sending the tie to penalties. 

Enter ​Phil Jones

The away team had scored two and missed two of their opening four spot kicks, while United had scored just one of their first three. Jones had the chance to level it up, but he fired his penalty well over the bar, before hanging his head and strolling back to the halfway line. Not even close.

United ended up losing the shootout and missed out on a place in the final. 


5. Own Goal vs Tottenham (31/01/2018)

We've already seen one own goal, but what about another?

Christian Eriksen gave ​Tottenham the lead in just the first minute at Wembley Stadium, but Phil Jones helped make it two with 28 minutes on the clock.

A low ball was driven in by Kieran Trippier and Jones produced the deftest of touches to fire the ball in at the near post. Oh wait.

Jones went and stood behind the goal and hung his head as he thought about what had just happened. What a finish though, right?


4. Taking Out Jordan Henderson (22/03/2015)

Manchester United overcame fierce rivals Liverpool in a feisty encounter back in March 2015.

Juan Mata's goal gave the away side the lead at the break and Brendan Rodgers reacted by bringing on an ageing Steven Gerrard, raging against the dying of the light, at half time. Just four minutes later, Gerrard was given his marching orders as he was shown a red card for a stamp. It appeared as though they were heading for victory at Anfield, but Phil Jones came flying in with a horrific challenge on Jordan Henderson.

He never looked like winning the ball and, ultimately, he ended up taking the Liverpool man out with a high challenge. It was so ugly that he stayed on the ground after in pain as well. 

Despite this, he was only shown a yellow card, although it should have been a red. The Red Devils went on to add a second through Mata - a stunning overhead kick and they were able to hold on to pick up all three points.

While this match may be remembered for Gerrard's sending off, this shouldn't take away from another reckless Phil Jones moment. 


3. Getting Completely Outdone by Kevin de Bruyne (07/01/2020)

Most recently, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men were comfortably swept aside by rivals Manchester City in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford. 

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with a stunning strike but, while that was an outstanding goal, it was Jones who simply stood and watched to allow the Portuguese the time and space to line up his shot. 

Jones was at it once again for the third goal, getting completely fooled by ​Kevin de Bruyne. Remember Jerome Boateng against Lionel Messi? It was that, except this time the ball ricocheted off Andreas Pereira (also not very good) and past David de Gea. 

With it now being ​revealed that Harry Maguire could be out for a 'sustained' period, it could mean more game time for Jones. What could possibly go wrong, eh?


2. Being Shrugged Off by Lys Mousset (24/11/2019)

On his first Premier League start of the season, Jones was pulled off at half time after an abysmal display against Sheffield United in November.

United were under pressure in the opening exchanges and they soon found themselves 1-0 down after Lys Mousset shrugged off Phil Jones - with ease.

The centre-back was first to the loose ball and had a number of options. Instead, he got caught thinking and Mousset came rushing in to ease him out of the way and racing through. By the time the United defender had stood back up, the ball was in the back of the net. 

Impressive stuff. 


1. Own Goal vs Valencia (12/12/2018)

The number one. 

On this occasion, Phil Jones became the first Manchester United player to score an own goal in the Champions League since...? Yep, you guessed it, Philllllllll Jones!

United travelled to take on Valencia knowing that they had already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition, meaning manager Jose Mourinho made a number of changes to his side. However, they still needed to secure first place in the group and could do so with a win.

The hosts took the lead on 17 minutes through Carlos Soler, before doubling their lead just two minutes into the second half. Soler played a through ball, which Jones appeared to be in full control of...until, in the blink of an eye, the ball was in the back of the net.

The centre-back failed to communicate with goalkeeper Sergio Romero, nor did he bother to look up to see his keeper coming out. Instead, he opted to slide the ball past the onrushing Romero and into his own net.

​Marcus Rashford pulled one back for United, but the damage had been done. They had to settle for second in the group.