Phil Jones to make long-awaited seasonal bow for Manchester United against Galatasaray
Jones has been hampered by a summer back injury
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Related articles
Phil Jones makes his long-awaited seasonal bow for Manchester United against Galatasaray this evening with Sir Alex Ferguson accepting injuries are part of the maturing process in someone so young.
Even though he is now in his fourth season as a Premier League player and also has five caps to his name, Jones is still only 20.
However, his recent progress has been hampered by a summer back injury, which was followed by knee surgery after a pre-season training setback.
Jones has finally recovered, and Ferguson insists he is not worried by the extended spell on the sidelines.
"It's a big day for Phil Jones," said Ferguson.
"He's been out all season but has done enough training to make sure his fitness is okay.
"They've all been different types of injuries and because he is young, he's still to develop physically.
"He's only 20 years of age so there's plenty of time for him."
Despite leaving most of his senior players at home, including Shinji Kagawa, who will be out for another four weeks with the knee injury he originally sustained last month, Ferguson vowed United have enough experience to cope with the unique demands of tonight's game.
"Most of them will have experience of big games and big crowds," said Ferguson.
"Obviously for Nick Powell it's completely different - he's played in front of 76,000 as a substitute but this will be his first European away game.
"It will be a big day for him but he has the temperament, which is important."
United avoided a welcome reception last night by taking a side exit through Istanbul airport.
It is just one of the lessons learned from that amazing night 19 years ago when Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson were struck by baton wielding police amid a frenzied atmosphere as United crashed out of the tournament.
'Welcome to Hell' has now changed venues, from the Ali Sami Yen stadium to the plush Turk Telecom Arena.
But likely skipper Darren Fletcher insists he knows how to handle it.
"It'll be hostile - the fans are really passionate," he said.
"I've not played against Galatasaray but I've been to Bursaspor and Besiktas and it's a unique atmosphere.
"It's a challenge and something we have to experience. For me it's a new stadium, a new occasion and you want to enjoy the experience. Hopefully that brings out the best in your performance."
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future
The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.
by James Young
24 May 2013 04:31 PM
iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...
by Gareth Purnell
24 May 2013 02:00 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...
by Martin Ayres
23 May 2013 05:29 PM
-
Why Manchester City were willing to fork out $500m on stake in MLS
-
Manchester City coach in waiting Manuel Pellegrini: Inside the mind of anti-Mancini
-
Champions League final: Biggest German invasion since the fifth century as Bayern Munich face Borussia Dortmund
-
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich: 50 things you need to know about the Champions League final
-
Champions League Final: Can Jürgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund stop the Bayern Munich machine?
- 1 What, let gays get married? We must be bonkers
- 2 'Something passed underneath us, quite close': Airbus A320 has close encounter with UFO
- 3 Rocky Horror star Tim Curry 'suffers major stroke'
- 4 Exclusive: How MI5 blackmails British Muslims
- 5 Lord of the Sings: Sir Christopher Lee, 91, to release heavy metal album
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions
In pictures: After the flood
Death becomes her: A very modern mortician
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?



Comments