Phil Jones Injury Could Threaten Manchester United's Champions League Hopes

Phil Jones limped off injured during Manchester United's victory over Burnley on Wednesday night, leaving fans to question what impact that will have on the rest of United's season.

Speaking to MUTV after the game, Van Gaal said (h/t ManUtd.com) "I think, for Jones, we have to wait and see. I think it shall be difficult as he was very disappointed when I spoke with him. Maybe it's a knee problem so it's not good."

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Jones' replacement, Chris Smalling, had a positive impact on the game, scoring a first-half brace of headers. However, without Jones, United's defence looked vulnerable once again. It was only a combination of now-typical brilliance from David De Gea and profligate finishing from Burnley which kept the Claret's goal tally down to one.

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Chris Smalling: Registered the first perfect 10 WhoScored rating by a PL defender in over 5 years (December 2009 - Rafael 10 vs Wigan)

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 11, 2015

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Smalling scored a remarkable perfect 10 from ratings site WhoScored, but that appeared at odds with how vulnerable United's defence looked, particularly in the first half. He lost Danny Ings entirely for Burnley's goal, and also fluffed a clearance which led to a goalmouth scramble.

Jonny Evans, who partnered first Jones then Smalling, is in the middle of a terrible season. He has developed a portfolio of errors in positioning and distribution that is almost impressive in its consistency. He was as uncertain as ever against Burnley.

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The endless parade of injuries and mixed form of United's defenders might just be at the heart of the stylistic malaise that is currently effecting the club.

While the lack of balance in midfield is a huge factor, the lack of certainty at the back, particularly in terms of distribution, sets a tone which seems to have permeated the team as a whole.

What is extraordinary is that those injuries and poor individual form have not translated to United conceding lots of goals. They have the third-best defensive record in the league. Chelsea are clearly this season's outstanding side and have conceded just three fewer goals than Van Gaal's men—although have hugely outscored United.

Southampton, this season's meanest defence so far, have conceded seven fewer than United, but United have scored five more than the Saints. 

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However, with competition for the four Champions League places fierce—with just five points currently separating the sides from third to seventh—how long can United rely on fortune and their goalkeeper to keep their defensive powder dry?

Jones has been one of United's better defenders. He seemed to adapt well to the back three, looking comfortable with the positional and tactical responsibilities of the role. He has always seemed to enjoy a driving run from deep, and playing on the right of the back three allowed him to do this.

He has also been trusted by Van Gaal in a back four, but even before he went off injured on Wednesday night, Evans' vulnerability alongside him gave the impression of a precarious defence. Marcos Rojo would have been a better partner for Jones, but was occupied at left-back to replace the suspended Luke Shaw.

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The constant changes wrought by injuries have meant that almost every United back three, four or five has looked makeshift. So far, Van Gaal's side have just about got away with it, given that a top-four finish was probably considered par this season and they currently sit third.

However, the longer it continues, the more likely it seems that it will eventually catch up with United and undermine their attempts to return to the Champions League.

It may be that even De Gea's heroics and the individual brilliance which does exist throughout the squad will not be enough to sustain the Champions League-qualification push.

On the other hand, it has been just about good enough so far. United have only been beaten once in 18 games and have a home record second only to Chelsea's. This has been in spite of problems with squad balance, playing style and relentless defensive injury problems.

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Twenty-five of the league season's 38 games have been played. Much rests on the next 13, and while Phil Jones' injury is, indeed, significant, Van Gaal will hope that the formula he has relied upon so far continues to just about work.