Jones & Bailly: Manchester United defenders return in friendly win over Burnley

Manchester United centre-backs Phil Jones and Eric Bailly returned to the squad as the Red Devils beat Burnley in a friendly at Old Trafford.

The duo’s involvement will be a welcome boost to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who didn’t name a recognised centre-back on the bench during Saturday’s 5-1 Premier League victory over Leeds United.

Jones has not played for the Red Devils since January 2020, due to an on-going knee problem, while Eric Bailly’s return to the squad as been delayed after his involvement at the Olympics with Ivory Coast. Bailly featured heavily for United in the latter stages of 2020/21 due to an injury sustained to Harry Maguire.

Despite featuring in Tuesday’s outing, neither Jones or Bailly are expected to start this weekend at Southampton, with Maguire and Victor Lindelof likely to play at the heart of defence.

New summer signing Rapahael Varane, who doesn’t appear to have been involved against Burnley, isn’t expected to begin the game either as he steps up his fitness regime.

However, in the coming weeks it means Solskjaer should be able to call upon five centre-backs, with Axel Tuanzebe on loan at Aston Villa and Teden Mengi also likely to leave Old Trafford on a short-term deal.

Jesse Lingard was another involved in Tuesday’s warm-up game, having recovered from Covid-19, which kept him out of Saturday’s win against Leeds. Jadon Sancho also started the game having made his debut at the weekend.

As reported on United’s official website, the Red Devils won 3-1, with Anthony Martial, Lingard and Fred among the goals during the behind-closed-doors encounter.