Manchester United's Phil Jones is content with the way his 'frustrating', injury-hit season is finishing.
Problems with his back and then knee meant Jones did not make his first appearance of the campaign until November and having subsequently seen fairly regular action up to February, he then damaged his ankle tackling Reading's Jobi McAnuff in an FA Cup tie.
That injury kept the versatile 21-year-old, praised for his efforts in shackling Cristiano Ronaldo during the Champions League last-16 first-leg against Real Madrid, out of the return leg, in which United were eliminated. It all made for a testing time for Jones, who told the Red Devils' official club magazine Inside United: "It has been frustrating. Certainly at the start of the season."
The England international has since won his first Barclays Premier League title, and added: "It was tough as I had a back injury and then, in the first or second training session back, I injured my knee again. It was kind of one thing after the next and I felt like 'is this sort of thing going to end?'
"Thankfully, I got over that and played in quite a few games and cup games as well.
"The cup ties really gave me a chance to have more game-time and I think I've done reasonably well towards the back end of the season."
Regarding the challenge on McAnuff, Jones - who can play in defence or midfield - said: "It was silly tackle.
"I probably should have looked after myself a bit more. I will learn from it as an experienced head would probably not have done that.
"It is in me (playing with great enthusiasm). I like making tackles. I like defending. I was gutted (to miss the Real second leg). 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 just too soon for me and I missed it."
Source: PA
