Phil Jones says he hopes for more games before end of the season

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Phil Jones made a surprise return to Manchester United’s line-up in January against Wolves, his first start in two years.

The centre-back played well in the 1-0 loss, but has only managed one substitute appearance since, with competition at the position such that even Eric Bailly can’t get a kick.

Jones is not giving up, and wants to play more between now and the end of this Premier League season.

Speaking to United’s club website, Jones said: “I turned 30 the other week and still feel young and fresh. I feel I’ve a lot more to give still, as long as I feel great, I can continue for as long as I can.

“I want more. I’ll keep myself in the best shape I can so when the time comes, hopefully I’ll get some game-time towards the end of the season and I can show people why I am here.”

Time to move on

Jones is still under contract at United for another year, his deal does not expire until June 2023.

If he has serious ambition, then he will look for a new club in the summer. From that perspective, giving Jones extra game time between now and May is risky.

While it could put Jones in the shop window, the club did that in January and he played well. Putting him into a match risks injury, and scupper United’s chances of selling him.

With another new manager coming in, the Jones era should come to an end in the summer. He has 226 appearances for the club, but over a decade, it could have been a lot more, for instance, Paul Pogba (229) and Anthony Martial (269) each have more.

Jones has what neither of those players have, a Premier League medal from the 2012/13 season and nobody can take that away from him. But if the summer transfer window ends and Jones is still a Manchester United player, then the club have failed, and Jones too will be guilty of taking the ‘easy option’.