With injury woes and struggling attempts to make it to the first team let alone complete squad, Manchester United defender Phil Jones has become something of a forgotten man at Old Trafford. With new signings coming into the club especially a new defender, Raphael Varane, Jones has quietly continued his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury that has seen him not play a first-team game for the Red Devils since January 2020.
Jones last played in an FA Cup tie, scoring the fourth goal in a 6-1 hammering of the then League One side Tranmere Rovers. The 29-year-old was side-lined with a persistent knee problem that required surgery, only recently returning to training and taking part in a number of behind closed doors games. “I’ve been through hell and back over the last couple of years.” he told Manchester United’s club website. “I struggled with my knee a little bit and there came a point after lockdown where I thought enough was enough.Thankfully, I see the light at the end of the tunnel now and I’ve been back training, played a few behind-closed-doors games and I’m feeling really good at the minute, " added Jones.
Jones still has two years left on his current deal and his £100,000 a week wages coupled with his concerning injury record means he’s likely to be staying at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future. Now into his eleventh season having racked up 224 appearances, Jones may not go down as an Old Trafford legend, but at the very least it would be nice to see the once highly rated prospect happy and enjoying his football again.
Jones, however, has featured for the Under 23’s against Burnley and Stoke City and played a full 90 minutes away to Arsenal. On Saturday, he played another full game against Brighton in Premier League 2 at Leigh Sports Village. The team won 2-1. The defender hopes to make a full return to competitive football on the pitch and has returned to first-team training. United’s next fixture is an EFL Cup tie at home to West Ham United on Wednesday, September 22 at 9:45 p.m.