Manchester United have confirmed that Phil Jones will leave the club at the end of the season, with the defender’s 12 year-stay at Old Trafford coming to an end.
Jones, 31, made 229 appearances for United after joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2011. A series of injuries have limited his playing time in recent seasons, with the former England international having started just twice in the last three years.
“It's been very difficult, the last couple of years,” said Jones. “There's no denying that. There is no hiding away from that. My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more.
"And, you know, I've missed playing football. I missed it. You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football.
“It's all I've known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I've been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked.”
It has been a frustrating period for Jones, who was once so highly-rated he was tipped to become one of United’s best ever players by Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson signed off a £16.5million deal for Jones and the centre-back played a key role in the Scot’s final Premier League title success in 2013.
“Jones, arguably, the way he is looking, could be our best ever player,” declared Fergie after 3-0 win against Aston Villa saw United secure the championship a decade ago.
Ferguson wasn’t the only United legend Jones impressed. Sir Bobby Charlton thought Jones evoked memories of Duncan Edwards, the late defensive midfielder who was part of the Busby Babes.
“If you talk to Bobby Charlton”, said United’s 1968 European Cup winner Pat Crerand, “Phil Jones reminds him of Duncan Edwards with his power and build.”
It wasn’t just in club colours that Jones made a big impression early on his career. Capped 27 times by England, he also had an admirer in the former Three Lions boss Fabio Capello.
“It is not easy to find a player who is so young that can play with so much confidence,” said Capello, after handing a 19-year-old Jones his first senior international call-up in 2011 after the player captained his country at the European Under-21 Championships.
Capello added: “The talent is incredible - and when you find the talent, you need to use it. I remember when {Jack] Wilshere started to play with Arsenal. First he did well, then better, better, better and after four months he was at the top. I understood he was ready to play with the national team. Jones is the same.”
Capello would go on to compare Jones to Italy legend Franco Baresi and Spain great Fernando Hierro after handing him his first caps for England. “It is difficult to find a player like him, really difficult,” said Capello. “He can play in different positions, always at the top level. I found in my career probably two players - Franco Baresi and Fernando Hierro. They played as midfielders and after they played centre-back. I think really good players.
“Jones is a talent. So young but a big talent because when he receives the ball he plays always without fear. Good passes, good solutions. I know something about football and the solution that he chooses every time when he receives the ball, always the best.”
Unfortunately for Jones, repeated injury problems have taken their toll and he leaves United without a single appearance - or having completed a full training session - under manager Erik ten Hag.
In an emotional goodbye posted on Instagram, Jones added: “I wish I could have played more. I wish I could have given more to the many squads I played alongside. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could. I did everything the medical team asked of me.
“Sometimes, in life, things happen that we don’t like, but we have to learn to accept it and be at peace in our minds that we did everything we could to overcome the challenges. In your career, and life, that’s all we can really do.”
United said that Jones would consider his options over the summer with the defender not yet sure what the future holds.
