Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has opened up about the most challenging opponents he faced during his career, revealing that ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez used to drive him “insane” on the pitch.
Jones, who played regularly for United during Suarez’s peak years at Anfield from 2011 to 2014, found the Uruguayan particularly frustrating to defend against.
Suarez, known for his relentless energy and unpredictable movement, netted 23 Premier League goals in the 2012-13 season before exploding with 31 goals the following campaign, earning a move to Barcelona.
Reflecting on his toughest battles, Jones shared his struggles against Suarez on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: “He had this knack of and I’m probably doing him a disservice playing a one-two off your shins and somehow wriggling out with the ball. Oh, it would drive me insane!”
Despite not being the fastest player, Suarez’s sharp bursts of movement and clever footwork made him an incredibly tricky opponent.
But even after Suarez left the Premier League, Jones still had to deal with him, as they faced off again in the 2019 Champions League quarter-finals when Barcelona eliminated United with a 3-0 win at Camp Nou.
While Suarez was the toughest Premier League opponent he faced, Jones had no doubt about the best player he ever encountered Lionel Messi.
The legendary Argentine delivered a masterclass in that same 2019 Champions League clash, scoring twice and completely bewildering Jones on the pitch.
“Messi was an absolute joke in that game,” Jones recalled. “I went to nail him in the middle of the pitch, he turned me, stuck it through my legs, I turned around, and he stuck it through my legs again!”
Jones, now 32, retired from football in August 2024 after struggling with injuries in his later years at United. However, he remains involved with the club, coaching youth players in the academy.
Discussing the next generation of talent at United, Jones expressed optimism about the club’s future: “There are some really talented young players coming through. The bench was full of kids against Tottenham due to injuries, but people will definitely know their names in a few years.”
After a career filled with battles against some of football’s greatest, Jones now focuses on helping United’s next generation prepare for their own challenges on the pitch.