25 December 2023 , 18:00
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Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones has still not returned to playing despite being backed to become one of the club’s “best ever” players.
The defender spent 12 years with the Red Devils after being signed for £16.5m from Blackburn Rovers as a teenager. The centre-back caught the eye at Ewood Park, with Sir Alex Ferguson spearheading a swoop for his services.
The Scot was publicly a big fan of Jones during his time at Old Trafford. Speaking after sealing his final Premier League title at the end of the 2012/13 season with a win against Aston Villa, Ferguson made a bold call.
“You saw [Phil] Jones tonight,” he said after that famous win. “I think Jones may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him.
“At 21 years of age, he is going to be a phenomenal player. I think he can play anywhere on the pitch. He has such a massive influence, with his instinct and reading of the game. He has a drive about him.”
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It looked as though that prediction would materialise as Jones won 27 caps for England, while he was a regular in the United first-team for eight seasons. Unfortunately for Jones, his career didn't pan out the way that Ferguson predicted.
Injuries hugely hampered his contributions for the side and he was limited to just 13 first-team appearances over his final four seasons. He was allowed to leave Old Trafford at the end of last season by Erik ten Hag - with the Dutchman having barely seen the defender in action.
Phil Jones left Manchester United at the end of last season (Getty Images)Was Phil Jones' Man United career or a failure? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Asked if he had any training sessions with Jones, he replied: “Yes, 20 minutes, first training of the year. He [Jones] has had a great career, what he achieved.
“Winning the Premier League, winning the FA Cup, winning Europa League, being present at two World Cups”. He then added: “Massive career at Man United. All the credits for his career.”
Since bidding farewell to Old Trafford, Jones has not yet returned to club football and has decided to go down a different path. The 31-year-old spent a short time coaching with the Red Devils, before being offered a place on the PFA’s global sport directorship course.
“Start of a new journey,” he wrote announcing his next chapter on social media. “Great to begin the global football sport directorship course with the PFA business school, learning new things about the game, whilst also continuing to push ahead with my A licence and badges at the club that gave me so much. Excited to get started.”
It seems very unlikely that Jones will return to playing any time soon but he will always hold Ferguson’s lofty prediction close, while he still had a successful career with United.