SAD END for Phil Jones as forgotten Man Utd man finally confirms he will be Leaving Manchester United to join this club after Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to terminate his contract
The defender left United last year freely after 12 years with the team. He has been teaching the Under-18s as a free agent for the past year. On Saturday, though, at age 32, he told BBC Radio 5 Live that he is no longer going to play.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The 27-time England international moved from Blackburn to United when he was 19. He played every game for United for one season under Sir Alex Ferguson before injuries started to reduce his time with the first team. He only played 18 times in the Premier League in 2018–19, and then only two times the next year. He did not play at all during the 2020–21 season and then had a very small part in the following season. A 15-minute cameo in a 3-0 win over Brentford in May 2022 was his last professional football game.
WHAT JONES SAID
He told BBC Radio 5 Live, “The job ended shorter than what I would have liked.” It was upsetting, but it is easy to see the glass as half-empty, so I am taking a “glass half-full” view right now. I got my A-license last season and worked with 18-year-olds for a while, which was great and helpful training. It was nice. In the end, I want to go back out there and push myself. For some reason, I want to become a leader and eventually lead a team. I know what I need to do to get there, and I am ready to do it. I know I can do it.
