Long absent Phil Jones has returned to training for Manchester United, but what will happen next is shrouded in doubt.
Jones has not played for the Red Devils since January 2020 and has been plagued by a series of injuries that have seen him play just eight games since the 2018/19 season.
His latest setback, a knee injury, kept him out for the entirety of last season, but now he’s back in shape and has joined the team at their summer training camp in Scotland.
Starting our Scottish camp in style #winners pic.twitter.com/WAjg5vWZlc
– Bruno Fernandes (@ B_Fernandes8) August 2, 2021
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that he wants Jones to stay at the club, telling the club’s official website:
‘Of course, with Raphael coming in, I can see Axel [Tuanzebe] leave [on loan], because I have Varane, Maguire, Lindelof and Eric Bailly and Phil Jones is coming back. ‘
‘[Jones] He is scheduled to start training over the weekend, when we have everyone on Monday, which is a huge advantage for him.
“I have had similar problems in my career. He’s a good pro lad, and it’s great to see him ready to train again and I hope he can train with us first and then hopefully have playtime soon.
However, reports suggest that Solskjaer would ideally like to get rid of the former England player.
However, it is recognized that this is very difficult given his lack of football in the last two years and his regrettable injury history.
United is believed to be willing to offer Jones a free transfer, but even then the buying club would have to match his £ 75,000 weekly salary, which is not a fortune, but would represent a gamble.
“Jones first fell out of favor with Solskjaer when Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire flagged their authorities as first-choice center-backs, while Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are backup options in that position,” notes The Mail.
That competition means Jones is likely to seek a move away from Old Trafford this summer, with reports linking West Ham to a move for the defender on a free transfer.
“The move would see Jones meet with Hammers boss David Moyes, who worked with the center back during his brief stint as Red Devils boss between the summer of 2013 and April 2014.”
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