The Man Utd defender is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to leave Old Trafford.

Jones has played just 13 times in the past two-and-a-half seasons

Phil Jones has become the forgotten man of Old Trafford – Man Utd fans can be forgiven for believing he had already left.

Despite that, he is one of two playing staff at the club who have experienced lifting a Premier League title in a Reds shirt, with him and David de Gea the longest-serving players at the club having both joined in 2011.

The following May, he provided one of the Premier League’s most iconic images as he stood on the Stadium of Light pitch awaiting news of Manchester City’s game against Queens Park Rangers. 12 months on and he was handed a giant compliment from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Jones put in a heroic display in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa that contained the unforgettable volley from Robin van Persie as United reclaimed the title.

Speaking afterwards, Sir Alex said: “Jones, arguably, the way he is looking, could be our best ever player.” Reacting to these comments in April, Jones reflected: “It was unbelievable that someone of Sir Alex’s magnitude said that but it was one of them games where I couldn’t care less how I played as long as we won it and the title.”

He perhaps would have raised eyebrows if he was told back in 2013 that United wouldn’t win a title in the next 10 seasons. Those brows may have elevated higher if he had been told he’d still be at the club 12 years after his arrival.

His career hasn’t gone in the direction Sir Alex may have tentatively forecasted but the denial of reports that he had been ousted from the first-team changing room would have come as a low.

He was not taken on United’s pre-season tour and was left out of the club’s Premier League squad in ominous indications of his dwindling status at the club. He did enjoy a remarkable comeback under Ralf Rangnick last season, playing five games towards the end of the term as his chronic knee problem eased.

His last appearance came in May’s 3-0 win over Brentford, and it looks like it will be his last. Jones has not completed a single training session since Erik ten Hag’s arrival and there is no reason to extend his stay beyond the summer, which is when his contract expires.

“No, it’s not been taken until now,” Ten Hag said regarding any potential new deal for Jones. “The decision about that is for the summer, but for the whole season he’s injured.

“I can’t say [if Jones will play again this season]. What I can say is that he’s not available for training since the first day of training this season so I think there’s not an opportunity for you to recover quickly and be available quickly.”

And so with that, there is surely only one end game. Of course, injuries are never a player’s fault but United cannot afford to hold onto fringe players who are giving no value.

Even when he was handed a bumper deal back in 2019 it seemed a bizarre decision. United shifted a truckful of dead wood over the summer and you can be sure Ten Hag will do the same this time around.

Jones is now 30 and has played 13 matches in the last two-and-a-half seasons. When his deal approaches its expiry date this time, there will be no renewal rebound.

src: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/