Manchester United offered defensive boost as Phil Jones returns to training

Phil Jones will not be rushed back despite Manchester United's defensive woes

PHIL JONES has started training again but will not be rushed back despite Manchester United’s defensive problems.

 

England defender Jones has missed United first nine games of the season after suffering a blood clot in his leg.

He trained for the first time with the rest of the first team squad on Friday but the Capital One Cup tie against Ipswich at Old Trafford on Wednesday has come too early for him, according to manager Louis Van Gaal.

 

Van Gaal said: "I said last week he was ready to train. Friday was his first training session with the group so it's nearly done but he's not match fit. It's still very early."

Jones is likely to be given at least one run-out for the under-21s to improve his match fitness before Van Gaal will consider him for a first team recall.

 

After a solid start to the season when they conceded only one goal in their first five games, United have shipped seven in their last four matches and have lost left back Luke Shaw for the season with a double fracture of his right leg.

Van Gaal hauled off right back Matteo Darmian at half-time in the nervy win at Southampton because he couldn’t cope with Dusan Tadic while Shaw’s replacement Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind endured difficult games.

Paddy McNair, who came on for Rojo, and young striker James Wilson, who has yet to make an appearance this season, are set to feature against Ipswich.