54 goals conceded is obviously not good enough, but im not going to blame Jones for conceding goal when he did not play. He started 15 games last season where we conceded 20 goals, should come to 50 goals over 38 games. If we are nice and take 2 goals away from the Everton game where Jones only played first half, it comes out to about 45 goals in 38 game, that's a improvement, with some mental gymnastics. When Jones was dropped, our defense looked statistically worse, is the best way to put it.
Phil Jones is 27 years old and coming into his prime as a CB, im not going to blame players for what they did in their early 20's, its kind of what it means to develop players, you get stronger and more experienced over time, you don't want to take that and throw it all away. A example is Daley Blind, a CB we had and developed for many years, then throw away when he hits his prime, but then goes on to do really well for another club. Coaches at Old Trafford obviously have faith in Phil Jones, there is a great defender in there, its just a question of getting that out of him. Going into next season with Jones as our 2th best CB does not seem like a good idea, I agree with that, but keeping him as a squad option is well worth it. You never know, with a better defensive structure next season Jones might come to his full potential.
Its important to understand who Manchester United is as a club, as long as there is a shred of potential left in a player we are keeping them, we rather keep a player for a year to long, then sell them a year to early. United is not a farmer club that developed players for other clubs, our financial model is not built on selling players.
I don't really rate Smalling, never been a fan of him. Im not holding it against him though, when ever we want to sell Smalling, we can do that.