Manchester United star to miss Champions League Opening fixture

Manchester United defender Phil Jones will miss United’s UEFA Champions League opening tie against FC Basel next week after Mourinho’s side opted to withdraw it’s original appeal over Jones two-game ban.

UEFA handed the defender the ban for reportedly insulting an official following United’s Europa League final win over Dutch giant Ajax in May.

The England international already missed United’s UEFA Super Cup defeat in the hand of European Champions Reaal Madrid at the beginning of August as a result. UEFA then reviewed the application after the game.

UEFA, However, have now stated that United have withdrawn its appeal against defender Phil Jones’ suspension.

As well as being given a two-match ban, the 25-year-old versatile defender was also fined €5,000.

This means the United star will not be available for United’s opening UEFA Champions League group stage match against FC Basel at ‘theatre of dreams’ Old Trafford next week Tuesday.

The defender will be joined by Eric Bailly who is still suspended for being red carded in the second leg fixture of United’s UEFA Europa League semi-final.

Centre-half colleagues Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been reliable enough in United’s opening three English Premier League matches this campaign, helping the team keep a clean sheet in all opening three English Premier League games and only permitting five shots at goal during the entire 270 minutes.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho have already said that England international defender Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof will play at center-back when they take on the Swiss champions.