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Keown: Man Utd boss Solskjaer wrong selecting Jones

Arsenal title winner Martin Keown says Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer messed up his team selection for their 3-3 draw at Sheffield United.

Phil Jones made his first Premier League appearance of the season on Sunday, but it was a match he would like to forget in a hurry. The former Blackburn man was one of the worst offenders during a torrid first half for the Red Devils, prompting boss Solskjaer to replace Jones with Jesse Lingard at the break.

Keown wrote for the Daily Mail: "Jones always looked problematic in that back line, then he was at fault for the opening goal. Instead of pumping the ball into row Z — like he should have done — he allowed Lys Mousset to take it off him.

"No defender should let that happen or even take the chance. Maybe there was a hint of a foul, but Jones needed to be more dominant, more assertive, more clever.

"I'm surprised Solskjaer opted for three at the back in the first place. Maybe he wanted to match up with the hosts, but it only created confusion.

"The man he shoehorned into the team made a mistake and it left United chasing the game. I saw a different side in the second half and the kids salvaged something for Solskjaer."

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Paul Vegas

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