Man United outcast Phil Jones ‘expected to be sacked from the club this summer’ after 12 years at Old Trafford… with the defender set to leave on a free transfer amid an ongoing battle with a knee injury
- Phil Jones is expected to be released by Manchester United in the summer
- The 31-year-old defender did not come to training this season
- Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag reportedly would like to use a wealth of players
Phil Jones’ Manchester United career looks set to come to an end in the summer as the club reportedly prepares to release a host of underperforming players from the periphery.
Erik ten Hag wants to empty his squad and has apparently identified players he wants to get rid of as soon as possible after the current season.
Terminating contracts would forfeit any potential transfer fee and is usually reserved as an option for academy assets and players believed to have no realistic resale value.
Jones has been earmarked as one of United’s outcasts who will be unceremoniously moved after 12 years of injury plagued with the Red Devils, according to the GENTLEMEN.
The 31-year-old centre-back signed a new contract in 2019 after being awarded a contract extension by then manager Jose Mourinho, but has since made just two starts in three years.
Phil Jones is expected to be released from his contract with Manchester United this summer
Jones has been plagued in recent years by a recurring knee injury that has sidelined him
United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly decided on the future of five stars to be released
Jones is hampered by injuries and a persistent knee problem has prevented him from training under Ten Hag this season.
Large swathes of United supporters have grown dissatisfied with Jones’ existence at the club in recent years, with the defender being paid a handsome salary but rarely involved in the first team.
Jones previously stressed while working as a television pundit at United’s Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle in February that Ten Hag made him feel ‘appreciated’.
Should he leave the club this summer, he will leave United as winners of the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup.
Fellow defenseman Axel Tuanzebe is another name reportedly mentioned as a releasable asset who has struggled for minutes in recent seasons.
Academy product Axel Tuanzebe could also have his existing contract at Old Trafford terminated
Tuanzebe has not played since United’s 2021 Europa League final defeat after a string of recurring injuries and has recently returned from a four-month temporary loan spell at Championship outfit Stoke.
The 25-year-old played a total of five games for the Potters during his stay in the Midlands.
Academy product Ethan Galbraith could also leave the club once his loan at League Two promotion chaser Salford City comes to an end.
Charlie Wellens – son of Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens – and youth team goalkeeper Ondrej Mastny could also be released.