Phil Jones has suggested that new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim could be the right man to unlock the potential of a player who has “so much ability.”
Ruben Amorim officially became the Manchester United manager on Monday after leaving Sporting CP and succeeding Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager impressed during his spell at Sporting CP, including lifting two Primeira Liga titles and two Portuguese League Cups.
United triggered the £9.25m release clause of Amorim’s Sporting CP contract and the Red Devils boss inked a deal with the Premier League club until June 2027.
Amorim’s arrival from Sporting CP during the November international break also marked the end of United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy’s time at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was installed as United interim manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked late last month and the Dutchman took charge of the club for four matches.
Jones on Man Utd star under Amorim
Speaking on BBC 5 Live Sport, Phil Jones waxed lyrical about the potential of former Manchester United and England teammate Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford struggled for form under former United manager Erik ten Hag and the 27-year-old Red Devils star missed out on Euro 2024 in the summer.
The United forward has struggled to re-establish himself in the England national team after his form fell off a cliff in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
Rashford only netted eight times in 43 appearances across all competitions last season, with the United and England star also managing six assists.
The Three Lions international has made 18 appearances for United this season and Rashford has only scored four times and registered three assists.
Jones is hopeful that former Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim can show a “little bit of love” to Rashford and also “support” the England star in training.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him,” he said.
“He’s absolutely deadly in front of goal.
“I remember his first training session for England; all the boys in the changing room afterwards were like, ‘Wow. Wow. What a player.’ [They’d] never seen anything like it. He’s got so much ability.
“He just needs a little bit of love, [and] a little bit of support in training, off the pitch, and I think he probably wasn’t getting that from the previous manager.
“Hopefully – I think he will – this manager will give him that.”
Van Nistelrooy’s exits Man Utd
Ruud van Nistelrooy picked up three wins and one draw during his interim managerial spell, with Amorim not retaining the Dutchman for his coaching staff.
The former United and Netherlands striker led the Red Devils to a 3-0 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday ahead of the November break.
“Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” United said in a statement on Monday.
“We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford.
“Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel have also departed and we wish them all well for the future.”
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