Back in September 2022, Erik ten Hag was forced to make some pretty difficult changes at Manchester United.
The then-new Red Devils boss had just splashed the cash on some recruits, bringing in the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Antony. Due to the influx of arrivals in the first-team dressing room at the club's training base, Ten Hag was forced to make some brutal cuts.
United's AON Training Centre facility only has room for 24 players in the changing room, meaning Ten Hag had to select five individuals to leave in order to home his new signings.
England international Phil Jones was among the five to be selected, with the centre-back being ousted from the first-team dressing room. Brandon Williams, a former loanee at Norwich, also got the boot alongside defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Teden Mendi. Shola Shoretire was the final man to make way.
All five players were expected to leave as a result of the axing, but only two ended up parting company with United.
Centre-back Tuanzebe put pen to paper on a deadline day loan deal with Championship side Stoke City, where he will remain until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old hasn't enjoyed his time away from Old Trafford though and has made only five appearances for the Potters, who are languishing down in thirteenth.
Shoretire also left United, signing a short-term deal with League One outfit Bolton Wanderers. The striker has made 12 appearances for the Trotters but is yet to get on the scoresheet for the club.
Jones, Mendi and Williams however, all opted to stand up to Ten Hag's decision and remain at United but this hasn't worked out well for any of them, with only the latter making a single first-team appearance for the Red Devils this term.
Mendi and Williams do still have time on their side and even if they're unable to win Ten Hag over they can still enjoy successful careers elsewhere.
Jones on the other hand is edging toward the twilight of his career now that he is 31 and only has three months left to run on his Manchester United contract.
Former Red Devils defender Paul Parker was recently asked whether he believes Jones has a future away from the club and suggested the centre-back couldn't even make it in the Championship now.
Parker told Bettors: "His contract is expiring this summer and he needs to consider whether he wants to retire - or continue playing. He has been enjoying himself for a lot of years with a club that he loves with a big salary as a bonus, but now he has to move on.
"If any club is going to sign him, they have to work really, really hard with him. His muscles aren't that strong anymore and it requires a lot to play in the Championship. That's a seriously tough league and I don't think he has the level to be perfectly honest.
"But he has to remember that a new club will ask him to play games. Does he want to do that? I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure that he has the passion, drive and desire to play and throw himself into reckless tackles and risk getting another injury."
