100% tackle success, 4 interceptions: Squawka Young Player of the Week – Phil Jones

Fresh from winning the Squawka Man of the Match award for his midweek midfield display against Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester United’s Phil Jones reaffirmed his versatility by seamlessly shifting to the heart of United’s defence at Aston Villa with such ease that he has picked up the Squawka Young Player of the Week award. Edging out last week’s winner Ross Barkley and Liverpool’s goalscoring duoRaheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan, Jones wins the award with a performance score of 73.

Top Five Young Players Of The Week

Whilst Danny Welbeck stole the headlines as United cruised to a 3-0 win at Villa Park, Jones was also in imperious form alongside Jonny Evans in defence. The former Blackburn man successfully snuffed out the threat of Christian Benteke, only letting the Belgian out of his pocket once on a day that Villa’s lone frontman took only a solitary headed shot at goal.

Despite United’s superiority, Jones made more clearances than any other player on the pitch. His 13 clearances made up the majority of the 18 defensive actions that he contributed. Such a total was the most defensive actions of any player in the Premier League, this weekend, of any age.

He also made five tackles over the course of the game – the joint most of any player on the pitch with Villa midfielder Karim El Ahmadi. Winning three of the four aerial duels that he contested, Jones was dominant in the physical battles and even provided a shooting chance for Welbeck with an early header across goal.

Jones also proved to have quickness of thought as well as a willingness to put his body on the line for the cause. He successfully pipped his opponents to the ball on numerous occasions, making four interceptions over the course of the 90 minutes.

Since his move to Old Trafford, Jones has been utilised all over the pitch. Playing at right back, centre back and centre mid, the Englishman’s best position is definitely open for debate. A matter of days after putting in a Champions League performance that suggested it could be midfield, he produces another stand out performance at centre back. Whilst his best position is unclear one thing is for sure – if Moyes had a few more Jones’s to deploy then United would probably be in a better position.