Manchester United defender confirms he will leave the club

After a ‘very difficult’ period at Old Trafford, Phil Jones will part ways with the Premier League club this summer.

Manchester United defender Phil Jones will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer following a ‘very difficult’ couple of years.

The injured 31-year-old has not featured in any of Manchester United’s games this season. His last appearance for the club came in a 3-0 victory over Brentford in May 2022.

“I wish I could have played more. I wish I could have given more to the many squads I played amongst. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could,” Jones wrote in an open letter.

“It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years, there’s no denying that,” he added in an interview with the club.

“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.

“I think the highlight for me would have to be the Wolves game [returning from injury last season], when I came back. That was just a moment that I’ll never forget. It gives me goosebumps now, thinking about it. I mean I worked so, so hard to get to that stage of fitness.

“That was a huge, huge moment in my career and the fans, that day, were incredible. The love that they showed me for that game, the passion that they showed, was sensational. I can’t thank them enough for that. They’ve been a constant support throughout my time here.”

Jones joined Manchester United in 2011 from Blackburn Rovers and was part of their Premier League title-winning campaign of 2012/13 – the club’s last under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 27-time England international also helped United win the Community Shield twice (2011 & 2013), the FA Cup (2016), and the Europa League (2017).

Manchester United have said Jones will take some time now to consider his next career move.