Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has hailed the impactmade byPhil Jones after the defender helped the Red Devils to a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday, as reported by The Sun.
Jones, making hisfifth league start in a row, has made a sold return to the first team over the past month and has earned the praise of Mourinho who has been without regulars Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly.
It would seem that Jones, 24, is finally ready to live up to the hype placed around him by his old manager and Old Trafford legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who famously touted the centre-back as potentially one of United's 'best ever players', who could become 'phenomenal.'
Unfortunately for Jones, the words of his former boss seem to have acted as a burden over the past few seasons - with the player being ridiculed for his injury record. Jones has also frequently been targeted by football fans online, who have been known to use the player's facial expressions as the subject for internet memes.
"The look on my face when Arsenal scored. It was souls destroying" Phil Jones #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ugq47jdw92
The Englishman was a rock against Spurs on Sunday and helpedhis teammates to a fifth clean sheet of the season.
He said: "I have always said that if I get a run of games and stay fit, I know what I am capable of. I am still learning. I am 24 and the tag of being a young player is no longer with me. I need to kick on in terms of playing more games. I have missed a lot over the last couple of years.�
Wednesday's game against Crystal Palace could see Jones equal the number of starts he made throughout the whole of last season, and he will have Mourinho's backing after the Portuguese praisedhis positive return.
Mourinho said: "They are playing well, playing more than ever and better than ever. Injuries have stopped Phil Jones for a long time.
But he was recovering first with the people he trusted in the medical department, then he was working really hard with one of my guys for around three weeks before he joined us. Now he looks fresh and looks sharp and fast."
Despite the return of Eric Bailly as a substitute on Sunday, Jones should retain his place alongside Marcos Rojo as the duo look to shut out the Eagles inWednesday's Premier League match.