Distressed 31-year-old defender Phil Jones will not represent Manchester United this term despite the recent injury crisis, with a summer exit likely.
According to a report by The Athletic, Phil Jones will likely leave Manchester United in the coming months. The 31-year-old is distressed after suffering repeated fitness issues this season. And Erik ten Hag will not consider the experienced defender for selection despite the injury crisis plaguing his side.
Phil Jones was one of the best young defenders in the world when he joined Manchester United. Arriving at Old Trafford as a budding teenager, he made an impression on Sir Alex Ferguson straightaway. But after a strong start under the tutelage of the legendary former manager, his stint has gone haywire.
Fitness issues have plagued the 31-year-old for nearly a decade, and he has struggled to remain a regular for Manchester United. Things have been going from bad to worse apart from a few seasons. But Jones has remained at Manchester United and is currently in his 12th season with the Red Devils.
The Englishman has made nearly 250 appearances thus far, chipping in with six goals and ten assists. But his long spell with Manchester United will likely end in the summer transfer window when his contract expires. And Manchester United will unlikely table a contract offer to him.
The Premier League heavyweights also have the option to extend Jones’s contract by a year. But the report claims that an extension is unlikely. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag might have considered using the veteran defender if an opportunity presented itself. But The Athletic have quashed such suggestions.
The report claims that Erik ten Hag will not resort to the 31-year-old if Manchester United’s injury crisis worsens. Meanwhile, the player himself is distressed after struggling to complete a training session this season. He has not recovered from persistent knee issues and has not been a part of a matchday squad.
Jones is arguably at the lowest point of his frustrating professional career. And he will likely depart as a free agent when the 2022/23 season ends. Manchester United fans might not have envisioned such travails for the 31-year-old. And it will be interesting to see if he seeks a fresh start in the summer transfer window.
Wot…no rolling 5 year contract extension…I thought he was going to be at United for ever…