Football
ESPN staff 9y

Phil Jones: Angel Di Maria exactly what Manchester United need vs. Chelsea

Phil Jones believes Manchester United's record signing Angel Di Maria is "exactly what the club need" as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Di Maria, 26, moved from Real Madrid for 59.7 million pounds as part of a 153 million-pound summer revamp, and has impressed as United's new No. 7 despite the club sitting 10 points behind Jose Mourinho's team after eight games.

Jones admits that United face a struggle to contain Eden Hazard and Diego Costa this weekend should the latter be declared fit, but is confident that Louis van Gaal's star signing can inspire his teammates this season.

"[Di Maria is] up there with the best, he's a fantastic footballer," Jones told the club's official website. "He's a quiet lad, he goes about his business quietly around the dressing room.

"But he's got everything -- he's got the skill, the speed, the awareness, he can score goals... and you could see it the other night [against West Brom], the balls he delivers are wicked and hard to defend against. He's exactly what we need."

Chelsea have dropped just two points in eight league games, but Jones insists the key to beating the Blues will be to attack Mourinho's men with courage.

"[Eden] Hazard and [Diego] Costa are real threats, and they've got quality all over the park," said Jones. "You can run through the Chelsea team -- they've got good players but then so have we.

"They'll keep a good solid unit defensively and basically say 'Come and break us down'. We've got to find a way to do that. I think we really need to show them what we're about and how we can play. It's important to really express ourselves and not be afraid of playing against Chelsea. They're a good team but they're not unbeatable."

Jones -- who has missed four league games through injury this term -- knows Sunday's encounter is crucial to United's hopes of regaining Champions League football.

He said: "Definitely, especially being back at home. We want to pick up all three points. We would like to have done that the other night so it's even more important that we do that on Sunday."

The 22-year-old centre-back also expressed his desire to build on a return to Van Gaal's starting XI in United's 2-2 draw at West Brom on Monday by staying fit, given that injuries have plagued his Old Trafford career so far.

"It was a tough game against West Brom," he added. "They were very organised and it was tough in the first 15 minutes but once we got to grips with the game, I thought we created numerous chances. Looking at it, I think we should have won but it wasn't to be.

"It was disappointing to pick my injury up in the [September] international break but I always go and support the lads when I'm not playing, I watch the games and go into the changing room afterwards. As long as we're winning and playing well, that's the main thing. It was great to be back on Monday though and I'm feeling good. I'm fighting fit and ready for the games coming up."

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