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.
It’s official, Phil Jones leaves United after more than a decade in red.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.”
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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.
Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons/Phil Jones (via Instagram)/Man United
Sport
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Manchester City plotting spending spree ‘before’ Club World Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to embark on somewhat of a spending spree this summer transfer window as the club’s higher-ups are looking to get business done before the 2025 Club World Cup.
With FIFA’s intercontinental club competition set to get underway in mid-June, the Blues don’t have too long to welcome in new players, but Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated their urgency regarding recruitment.
Despite having brought in four new acquisitions in a very short space of time last season, the 50-year-old argued that he wasn’t completely happy with the extent and speed of their business.
Giving a lengthy interview this week, CFG‘s founding chairman has imposed an internal deadline ahead of the lucrative knockout competition.
Speaking with club media, Khaldoon recognised that while there were incomings in January of this year, he believes they “should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do, adding that he believes it “cost [them].”
“I can tell you today, we have clearly identified who exactly [the targets are], in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option”, he continues.
More importantly, he goes on to add: “We’ll go about our business, and it will be very clear, very swift. Our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”
He also suggested the flurry of activity this past January was not just atypical of the administration, but felt the squad fell into a crisis state with the number of injuries, insisting they “had to act.”
City have already been linked with a hugely talented and highly-rated European target in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne‘s departure and a lack of strength in depth in midfield.
An initial bid is said to have been received already and will likely be the first of many City summer signings.
He also insisted that the players who joined last season weren’t scattershot, emergency transfers (perhaps barring the resigning of İlkay Gündoğan) but were the start of the rebuild and “gives [fans] an idea of what’s coming this summer.”
Another player linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium is Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who scored in big moments during their Europa League run this year, registering 32 goal contributions across all competitions throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Who would you like to see added to Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, then, Man City fans?
You can watch Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s interview in full down below:
Danny Jones -
19th May 2023 
