Phil Jones, the centre back for Manchester United, has announced that he will be leaving the club after 12 years when his contract expires at the end of the season. Despite playing over 200 games for United, Jones has struggled with injuries over the past four seasons, only managing 13 appearances since the start of the 2019-20 campaign. In an open letter to United fans, Jones expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent the club and his regret that he could not have played more. United has wished him the best of luck for the future. Jones last played for United in May 2022 and has made 229 appearances for the club since joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2011. He also has 27 caps for England. United will face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday as they aim to secure a top four spot.
It has been confirmed today that Manchester United defender Phil Jones is to leave Old Trafford after 12 years at the club.
The 28-year-old centre-back made his debut for United in 2011 and, since then, has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for the Red Devils. During this period, he has won five major honours with United, including the Premier League title in 2012/13 and the FA Cup in 2015/16.
Jones’ departure from the Manchester club is the latest in recent months of a long line of revered figures to leave the club, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s transformation of the squad seeing favourites such as Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, and Ander Herrera all leave.
The Englishman was at one point seen as a hot prospect in the defensive area, as he looked to emulate the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic who solidified United’s backline between 2002 and 2014. However, over the past few years, the centre-back has struggled with injuries and was unable to hold down a regular place in the team, having only made 11 appearances in the Premier League this season.
Despite his lack of games this season, Jones leaves the club with many memories; whether it be his Sir Alex Ferguson-like hairdo during United’s pre-season tour of America, his moment of brilliance as he diverted Mesut Ozil’s header goal-wards against Arsenal in 2013, or his Man of the Match performance against Chelsea as United won 3-0 in August of that same year.
Phil Jones departs the club as an influential figure in the modern history of United, and it can only be wished that the future holds brighter times for one of United’s most popular players.
