Post by Webster on May 19, 2023 19:00:49 GMT
(The Guardian) Jones to leave Manchester United after 12 years
The club have issued a statement confirming that the 31-year-old defender will leave Old Trafford when his current contract expires at the end of June.
Signed from Blackburn in 2011, Jones enjoyed a good start to his Manchester United career, winning the title in his first season with Sir Alex Ferguson making the bold and arguably unhelpful claim that Jones “could be our best player ever”.
However, a relentless catalogue of injuries derailed Jones’ career and he has barely played in recent years. Capped 27 times by England, Jones leaves United having made 229 appearances for the club, scoring six goals.
“It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years,” said Jones in an interview with the United media team. “There’s no denying that. There is no hiding away from that. My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more.
“And, you know, I’ve missed playing football. I missed it. You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. It’s all I’ve known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I’ve been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked.”
United added: “Our No4 is now taking some time before deciding his next move and everybody at United would like to wish Phil the very best of luck for the future.”