Former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones is fully convinced that one Red Devils legend will have a major impact on emerging talent at Old Trafford.
Phil Jones finally called it time on his playing career in 2024 after an injury-hit run with Manchester United, with his Old Trafford spell curtailed by setbacks.
Signed under Sir Alex Ferguson from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, the 33-year-old former centre-back was part of United’s last Premier League title-winning team.
Jones captured a Premier League, an FA Cup and a Europa League trophy during his United spell, with the former Red Devils star being released from the club in 2023.
The ex-England international’s contract with United ended after the 2022-23 season, but Jones would return to Old Trafford to work with the youth academy talent.
Jones expressed his desire to enter coaching after his retirement and the ex-Blackburn Rovers player received a youth team coach role in 2023 from United.
Phil Jones makes his position clear on Darren Fletcher and his former Man Utd teammate’s new role at Carrington
Phil Jones has spoken out about his time watching the Manchester United talent and what his former teammate Darren Fletcher can offer to the club’s academy set-up.
Darren Fletcher was the technical director at Old Trafford before Jason Wilcox replaced him in 2024, with the ex-United star working behind the scenes instead.
The 41-year-old Scotsman would be appointed the head coach of United Under-18s in the summer and Jones believes that Fletcher has plenty of talent among his ranks.
Jones has tipped Fletcher to unlock the “best” potential of the Red Devils’ youth players and expects to see some of them in the United first team down the line.
“Really promising, really bright [prospects for the academy talent],” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“I know there are a few lads who have been in and around and trained with the first team last season.
“Darren Fletcher’s there now, so I’m sure he’s got them all firing on all cylinders and getting the best out of them, so yeah, hopefully we’ll see some of them in the first team in the future.”
Darren Fletcher has already echoed Phil Jones’ sentiments about the Man Utd talent at the Premier League club
Darren Fletcher returned to Old Trafford in 2020 and took charge of the United Under-16s before he became part of the Red Devils’ first-team coaching staff in 2021.
The former United technical director, who finished his playing career at Stoke City, previously talked up the impact that he wanted to have on the United Under-18s.
“I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players,” he said after his appointment, as per Manchester United’s official website in July.
“I’m looking forward to working with such a talented age-group; supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.”
Jones, meanwhile, has secured his coaching badge for the UEFA A Licence and the former defender is now working towards the completion of his UEFA Pro Licence.
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