It perhaps came as little surprise. After all, he hasn't so much as made it into any of the matchday squads that Manchester United have named since Erik ten Hag arrived as manager.
But the news that Phil Jones has been omitted from their 25-man Europa League squad is yet another nail in the coffin as far as his Old Trafford career is concerned.
The 30-year-old failed to make the cut due to his prolonged recovery timescale from another injury, with Axel Tuanzebe further down the line in terms of being ready to play. But either way it means yet another avenue for precious game time is closed off for him. A player who has started just two games in two years is now effectively left stuck in a form of footballing purgatory.
