Phil Jones and Chris Smalling SHOULD'VE been the future of Manchester United
20From the summer of 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson began to plan for Manchester United’s future without him.
Some prospered with him in charge but faltered once he had left: Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa.
Some were a complete joke from the off: Bebe.
One ascended to becoming a club great: David de Gea.
Some weren’t allowed to become a club great: Wilfried Zaha.
Others had a long tenure but were never seen in two great a light: one being Ashley Young and the others being our subject today. All three either got close to or exceeded a decade at the club, but none were ever likely to have a testimonial.
One came from the south, they called him Smalldini.
The other came locally, just east, and they called him JESUS CHRIST, WHAT IS THAT?
Christopher Lloyd Smalling and Phillip Anthony Jones.
The partnership that, on paper, should have succeeded Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Between them, they have spent 20 years at the club for a combined 547 appearances, less than Wayne Rooney on his own.
Both were afforded innumerable chances and, under Ferguson, they might have become world class.
Phil Jones, for example, was labelled a future captain by Ferguson himself, and some even compared him to Duncan Edwards.
Sadly, neither Phil Jones or Chris Smalling fulfilled their potential, which necessitated a carousel of Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane.
#UCL #PremierLeague #MUFC
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Voice: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
Illustrations: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
Words: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
Edit: Jake Doyle (@jakedoyle93)
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