Allardyce has instant impact as West Brom eye loan for Man Utd man

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has added Manchester United defender Phil Jones to his list of January transfer targets, according to a report.

Jones remains frozen out at Old Trafford amid his absence from United‘s 25-man Premier League squad. As such, he has yet to make an appearance for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this season.

The former England international began to fall down the pecking order after Harry Maguire’s £80million signing. However, the likes of Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are also ahead of him in the hunt for game time.

According to the Daily Star Sunday, though, West Brom are among the clubs who could offer Jones a lifeline.

New Baggies boss Sam Allardyce, who entered the job on Wednesday, has reportedly made the signing of a new central defender a priority in the upcoming window.

What’s more, he believes that a loan for Jones is a ‘risk-free’ option as the club look to retain their Premier League status.

Jones and Allardyce have a connection, with the pair working together at Blackburn.

The newspaper states, though, that Derby and Burnley are also in the running to sign the centre-back.

 

 

Jones’ former United teammate Wayne Rooney has taken over at Derby and will present his case to remain the head coach to the club’s board next week.

Burnley, meanwhile, will only make a move if they lose James Tarkowski. West Ham targeted the England international in the recent window but could not meet the Clarets’ asking price.

Jones is one of England’s most experienced defenders after making 224 appearances for United. Indeed, he has made 200 Premier League outings.

The Daily Star Sunday adds that United are willing to facilitate a deal by paying a portion of the player’s £120,000 per week wages.

Van Gaal poses Solskjaer sack theory

Meanwhile, former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal has said that United could soon sack Solskjaer.

Van Gaal himself left Old Trafford in 2016 a short time after winning the FA Cup.

But while he believes that Solskjaer’s status as a Treble-winning United player will protect him for now, he added that the Norwegian’s situation could soon change.

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