Manchester United CONFIRM Phil Jones is leaving the club
BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United CONFIRMS Phil Jones is leaving the club this summer as he admits it was ‘difficult’ not to play and plans to take time out before making a career decision
Manchester United have confirmed Phil Jones is leaving Old Trafford after 12 years at the club.
Jones is United’s longest-serving player having joined from Blackburn Rovers in June 2011 in a £16.5 million deal.
But the 31-year-old former England defender has made just five appearances in the last three-and-a-half years due to chronic knee problems, and was widely expected to be released at the end of his contract in June. 30.
“It has been very difficult these past few years. That cannot be denied. There’s no escaping that,” said Jones, who made 229 appearances for United and scored six times.
“My family has been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on track and focused, trying to get fit and playing more.
“And you know, I missed playing football. I missed it.
“You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. All I’ve known from such a young age is doing what you love to do for a living. I’ve been lucky enough to do so, albeit not as much as I would have liked.
“I worked tirelessly hard. I literally left no stone unturned. I tried to get back as soon as possible, every time I’ve been gone for the past few years.’
Jones made a brief return last year, starting with an emotional comeback against Wolves. “I think the highlight for me should be the Wolves game,” he added.
“That was just a moment I will never forget. I get goosebumps now when I think about it. I mean, I’ve worked so, so hard to get to that stage of fitness.
“That was a huge, huge moment in my career and the fans that day were incredible. The love they showed me for that game, the passion they showed, was sensational. And I can’t thank them enough for that. They’ve been a constant support all my time here.’
United confirmed Jones will take time out to consider his next move after Mail Sport revealed he faces a battle to save his playing career.
He must now decide whether to quit or try to revive his career elsewhere.
Jones, who was linked with a move to Bordeaux last summer, is likely to only be offered a paid-work contract due to his lengthy layoff over a cartilage problem in his right knee that required two operations.
