Lineker says Messi ‘turned Phil Jones inside out so many times that his bandage loosened’
GARY LINEKER led the plaudits for Lionel Messi’s performance against Manchester United by saying he “turned Phil Jones inside out so many times here that his bandage loosened.”
The England defender – who was channelling his inner Terry Butcher in the 3-0 defeat – was nutmegged with ease by the Argentian during a rampant first-half.
Speaking at half-time, BT Sport presenter Lineker said: “He turned Phil Jones inside out so many times here that his bandage loosened.”
The 27-year-old started the game wearing the headgear after he needed stitches when he clashed with Declan Rice during the Red Devils 2-1 win over the Hammers.
The ex-Blackburn star was deemed fit enough to start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side but the protective headgear showed Jones had not fully recovered from the injury.
The look drew parallels to the days of Terry Butcher, who rocked a bloodied headband in England’s game against Sweden in 1989 in one of football’s most iconic images.
Jones and his headband started the night at right-back but an early tactical move from his Norwegian manager saw him placed inside in favour of Victor Lindelof.
The Old Trafford club were trailing by a solitary goal from the first leg but a quick-fire double from Lionel Messi has seemingly spelt the end of their European campaign.
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Loris Karius started trending on Twitter seconds after David De Gea’s horror howler for the Argentine’s second strike.
The Liverpool stopper, on loan at Besiktas, made two outrageous blunders to gift Real Madrid the Champions League crown last May.
With United already trailing 1-0, De Gea allowed a tame, right-footed Messi shot to squirm through his arms and into the net to all-but kill-off the tie.