Sport
Phil Jones leaves Manchester United after 12 years
Feels almost surreal to see him go after such a long time.
Danny Jones -
19th May 2023 
After more than 12 years at the club, Phil Jones is finally leaving Manchester United at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Jones joined the club all the way back in July 2011 and was once predicted to become Man United‘s “best ever player” by Sir Alex Ferguson himself, but after years of injury problems and failing to live up to those expectations, his time at Old Trafford became synonymous with sitting on the sidelines.
Well, that and pulling all manner of faces whenever he did play.
However, after more than a decade at the club, one Premier League title, a Europa League, one of each domestic cup and two Charity Shields to his name, United confirmed that Phil Jones is saying goodbye to United in July and although he is set to become a free agent, his future in football remains up in the air.
Joining United at just 19 from Blackburn Rovers, Jones was once thought to be part of United’s next generation, earning England call-ups alongside long-term centre-back partner Chris Smalling, who also left the club back in 2020 after the pair’s popularity continued to dwain over time.
The Preston-born lad was never blind to his reputation at the club either. He famously turned down the chance for a testimonial after joking, “Apart from my mum and dad, who else would come?”. While he may not have always been a popular figure at Old Trafford he was at least an honest one.
Jones’ last game for United came in a 3-0 win against Brentford in May last year when he was subbed on for Juan Mata and before that was his remarkable comeback against Wolves in January 2022 — both of which occasions he had to fight incredibly hard to regain his fitness for, having only played a handful of games over recent years.
As for the man himself, the 31-year-old issued the following lengthy and emotional statement on his social media, thanking the club and the fans for their support over the years, stating that he “lived a dream at the biggest club in the world” and has made friends and memories for life.
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Insisting that he will “always be a Red”, the club gave Jones a fond farewell video where he was presented with a special commemorative plaque by ex-teammate turned technical director and coach, Darren Fletcher.
They went on to add that the “no.4 is now taking some time before deciding his next move and everybody at United would like to wish Phil the very best of luck for the future.”
He might never have turned out to be the player Fergie thought he would be, but he still brings an end to his United career with a handful of trophies, six goals from defence and as a cult figure around a club that he clearly loved.
One thing’s for sure, Phil Jones leaves a United legend in his own right. All the best, Phil.
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Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons/Phil Jones (via Instagram)/Man United
