Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is interested in signing Phil Jones for his new club DC United, according to The Star.
Rooney, who played alongside Jones at Old Trafford for several years, was appointed as DC head coach during the week.
United and England’s all-time top scorer looks set to offer the former Blackburn Rovers man an escape route from the Theatre of Dreams and the opportunity to play regular first-team football.
With the former Derby County manager eager to bring in new faces to the Major League Soccer side, Jones may consider a move to America as an opportunity to rebuild his career.
Wayne Rooney interested in signing Phil Jones
With Lisandro Martinez set to become Erik ten Hag’s third Manchester United signing, Jones’ route to first-team minutes has only become harder with the Argentine poised to reunite with his former Ajax manager.
The former England international realistically has Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and possibly even Axel Tuanzebe, as well as Martinez, ahead of him in the centre-back pecking order.
According to The Star, Rooney is “optimistic” about luring Jones to DC.
However, the same report claims that the defender may new to lower his demands to seal a move, while United may have to compromise in order to bring an end to Jones’ 11-year stay at the club.
After being handed a new contract by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in February, United’s number four current deal expires next summer.
There is the option for the club to extend his deal by a further 12 months but that looks highly unlikely barring an almighty turnaround and change in fortunes in Jones’ playing prospects under Ten Hag.
Given that Jones is on £120.000-per-week, the 30-year-old may have to accept a wage cut to reunion with Rooney or United may have to subsidise part of his pay packet in a potential loan move.
Signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, Jones has played just 13 times across the last three seasons and made five first-team appearances under Ralf Rangnick last season.
Injuries have significantly hampered his career and alongside David de Gea, Jones is the only other Manchester United player that was part of our last Premier League triumph nine years ago.
He did not travel with the rest of Ten Hag’s 31-man first team for the pre-season games in Thailand and Australia, instead remaining in the UK to undergo a personalised training programme.
Jones has played 229 times for Manchester United but it’s looking increasingly likely that he won’t feature for the club again.
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