Former Man Utd star returns to training ground as Sancho makes feelings clear
Phil Jones was back at Manchester United’s training ground on Saturday to oversee their Under-18 side against Nottingham Forest – with club outcast Jadon Sancho another onlooker at the match.
Winger Sancho took to social media to refute boss Erik ten Hag's claim that he was left out of the squad for United's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal because of poor training performances. Sancho was banished from first-team training by Ten Hag and was dropped for United's loss at home to Brighton on Saturday – so took in the Under-18s clash instead.
While things did not go to plan for Ten Hag’s side in a humbling 3-1 defeat to the Seagulls, the club’s Under-18 side did enjoy a better afternoon – securing a 2-1 victory thanks to goal froms Jack Kingdon and Victor Musa.
Sancho was present for United's Under-18 game having been banished from the first-team (MUTV)Another in attendance was former England international Jones, who departed Old Trafford this summer to bring an end to his 12-year career at the club. He initially joined the Red Devils from boyhood club Blackburn Rovers as a teenager.
The club’s legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson once predicted that Jones could've gone on to become United's "best ever player," but injury quickly ravaged his career and he's made just six Premier League appearances in the last four seasons.
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Jones left United as a free agent this summer when his contract expired as he was unable to bounce back from multiple injuries. It had been hoped that he would continue his playing career elsewhere, but he remains a free agent – meaning he can sign for a club outside the transfer window.
Have Your Say! Do you think Ten Hag’s stance on Sancho is the right one? Tell us what you think here.
Jones watched United's Under-18 team from the sidelines on Saturday (MUTV)Jones had been observing United’s academy training sessions in recent weeks and as outlined by the Manchester Evening News, was on the sidelines to watch the Under-18 side take on Forest. There is no suggestion that he will return to United in a coaching capacity.
Indeed, it is not unheard of for the club’s former players to be allowed to return to the club’s facilities to watch training sessions of the youth teams, with their presence believed to be an incentive for young players while also giving others an insight into a potential future coaching career.
Jones made a total of 229 appearances for United, for whom he had previously been tipped as a long-term successor to Nemanja Vidic prior to injuries continuing to disrupt his progress. He was a central defensive partner for Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, among others, while also had stints at right-back and in a holding midfield role.
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