Phil-ing the holes: Will Jones find his feet once and for all at Manchester United this season?

From months to weeks, from weeks to days, and now from days to hours left, the Premier League’s opening weekend has finally dawned upon us, the BPL fanatics, after what has seemed to be an exceptionally long wait, even by the football summer’s standards. With each one of the top three clubs going to be under new management, the 2013-14 season is touted to be one of the most competitive seasons in the Premier League’s history. Concerning the title race, that is.

Having bid adieu to arguably the greatest and definitely the most successful manager in the club’s history and probably of all time, and having placed the gleaming League trophy that was his last gift to the club in an already teeming trophy cabinet, title holders Manchester United embark on its most challenging journey since the inception of the Premier League.

With a new Chief Executive and a new manager, and with Chelsea and City looking more determined than ever to knock United off its perch for good, the United faithful will look to the heavens for reassurance. Will the Red Devils, for all their media hype, their swanky lifestyles and their Demi-God statuses, come good without Ferguson to blow the hairdryer in their face?

But while the United support is caught up with the Wayne Rooney transfer saga and drooling over Adnan Januzaj’s exploits in the past month, there is one player who goes to bed each night thinking over the past two seasons, and waking up every morning more determined than the last to make sure that by May 2014, Old Trafford echoes to the chants of his name. But is fate going to put a hold on Phil Jones’ plans for this year too?

Rewind to the start of the 2012-13 season. Having had a very promising debut season at Old Trafford with 41 overall appearances over three different positions the year before, the strapping Jones was left to curse himself and rue his misfortune when a back problem and a knee injury kept him out of the first team for three months. Even when he returned, he did not find a clear vacancy in the first team, as Evans had cemented his place along with Ferdinand and Vidic at CB, while Rafael’s RB position was almost untouchable.

Yet he plodded on and once he was fully fit, he did get more than a few appearances to build on his impressive debut season. And in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 in February, it was clear who United could count upon to suppress the vibrant and flamboyant Real Madrid midfield. Unfortunately – a word Jones could get used to – he could take no part in the home leg, in which the Los Blancos proved too hot to handle for United, even if it was with the help of some very dubious (and incredibly dim-witted) refereeing.

“I was gutted to miss the Real Madrid game. I tried everything to make the game. I was on the treatment table, having massages, in the pool and in the gym. But it was justtoo soon for me and I missed it.”

There is a very realistic chance that even a gem of a talent like Jones might fizzle out and get the pink slip if another bad season comes his way. Even at Old Trafford, patience is not held in as high a regard as it was held perhaps a decade or 15 years ago. Time is surely of the highest essence to Jones, and he needs to prove Sir Bobby Charlton right by showing the Old Trafford why he reminded the Busby Babe of the late Duncan Edwards. If you’re a United fan, hold back those tears for now and let’s weep some happy tears for later in the season, shall we?

After 55 years, has the spirit of Duncan Edwards returned to Old Trafford? Please tell me it has.

It is imperative that Jones chooses one particular position to make his own this year, as we have seen that a player who can be deployed all around the park is very handy, but one who is a specialist in his role is irreplaceable. I believe that Ferdinand and Vidic need to be (very) slowly phased out and a Jones-Evans partnership with Smalling providing the backup must be blooded in.

As the fullbacks are established in their roles and have got decent backup, Jones needs to forget his ability to adapt himself as a right back. He might be called on for defensive midfield duties in European competition to counter specific threats, but otherwise all his concentration must go towards his centre back duties and also aerial duels in which he has been quite poor for someone with a daunting 6’2 frame.

His aggression, his combative nature, his imposing figure, his leadership qualities and a burning desire to put every last ounce of effort on the grass makes Jonesy a true crowd-puller and a real star to watch out for. But what completes a Manchester United man, what defines him, makes or breaks him, and sets him apart from the rest? Consistency.

Jones has the God given talent. He is also incredibly strong willed and very willing to improve on his game in any way he can. A little more focus and a little less recklessness like the McAnuff tackle, can do wonders for the 21 year old. The new season is an excellent opportunity to clear the frustration of the previous year and start afresh and prove to the fans why Sir Alex Ferguson paid over 15 million pounds for the then 19 year old Blackburn Rovers youth graduate’s signature.

Glory! Glory!