FA: Our Jones treatment fine

GARETH SOUTHGATE and the FA have hit back at Jose Mourinho and insisted they did nothing wrong with their treatment of Phil Jones.

Mourinho was left fuming after the defender had six pain-killing injections in a thigh injury before England’s friendly against Germany. Jones lasted just 25 minutes.

England maintain they treated the defender by the agreed procedures.

And it’s believed Southgate (above) feels no need to ring the United boss, although he will happily discuss the sequence of events if the United boss demands it.

Mourinho went ballistic when he discovered England doctors gave Jones the injections and the player missed yesterday’s game against Newcastle at Old Trafford. The FA also rejected Mourinho’s claim the game was of no importance with Southgate insisting the Germany and Brazil fixtures were vital preparation for the World Cup in Russia next summer.

Mourinho was furious about the multiple injections – one a few hours before the game then five more immediately before kick-off.

He said: “In 17 years as a manager I don’t have one single player that had injections of anaesthetic to play a friendly. Never.

“I am not an angel and I had players injected to play official matches, crucial matches, but a friendly?”

It’s not the first time Mourinho has been unhappy with Jones being injured on international duty. In March Jones and fellow Old Trafford star Chris Smalling were both injured in a collision during training.