Rio Ferdinand said he hopes reports that Erik ten Hag has banished Phil Jones from Manchester United's dressing room are wide of the mark.
The news of Jones' alleged exile from the first-team changing room at Carrington emerged over the weekend, after a report from The Sun claimed that Ten Hag's new signings have left no room for the defender in the team's senior dressing room.
The 30-year-old has only started two games for the Reds in the last two seasons, and the defender's game-time has been virtually non-existent at Old Trafford.
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With the arrival of Lisandro Martinez this summer, Jones has fallen further down the pecking order at United. Barring any major injuries, the third round Carabao Cup match against Aston Villa in early November is the only realistic opportunity the former Blackburn Rovers centre-back will have to play again for United in the near future.
In a career that spans over a decade at the club, Jones has made 229 appearances for United across all competitions. Ferdinand has now had his say after the news of his former teammate's dressing room exile came to light.
"Listen, I’ve got to be honest, I hope it’s not true,’ Ferdinand told Vibe with Five when asked about Jones’ situation at the club.
"If it is true, that’s Erik ten Hag laying it out and saying: 'You’re not a part of my plans, moving forward you’re surplus to requirements'. But that’s the game man. If you’re not involved and you’re not part of the first-team going forward, why are you going to be taking up someone else’s space?
"There might be a young player who Ten Hag wants to come in and gain some experience in the dressing room. We have to wait and see but Phil Jones, if he’s still there but been demoted to the reserves, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
"He’s suffered some really horrific injuries so I just hope he stays fit and at some point he’ll be able to go out and play somewhere."
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