Sir Alex Ferguson Phil Jones prediction proved badly wrong as Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd exit

Sir Alex Ferguson’s prediction regarding the fate of one Manchester United player has been proven badly wrong.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Phil Jones is finally set to leave United after 12 years at the club.

The England defender, who has suffered several injury-plagued campaigns at the club, is one of five out-of-contract players tipped to be released this summer.

Indeed, transfer guru Romano wrote on Twitter: “Phil Jones will leave Manchester United at the end of the current season, decision confirmed. The club will release the centre back on a free transfer.

“Both Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe will look for new opportunities as free agents.”

Jones, a former England international, has started just two games in three years due to a knee problem, while the 31-year-old has not trained with the first team at Carrington all season.

Ferguson’s Phil Jones prediction

Jones’ recent career has been severely hampered by injury and poor form. The 27-cap former England international has become a figure of ridicule in recent years.

However, there was once a time when Jones was considered the future of English football. Even Ferguson, one of the most respected names in the game, heaped praise on the player after winning his and United’s last Premier League title back in May 2013.

The former United boss said: “Jones, arguably the way he is looking, could be our best-ever player.

“I think Jones may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him.

“At 21 years of age, he is going to be a phenomenal player. I think he can play anywhere on the pitch.

“He has such a massive influence, with his instinct and reading of the game. He has a drive about him.”

Jones made a blistering start to his Old Trafford career, after signing from Blackburn for around £16.5million in 2011.

He won the Premier League in his second season as a United player and swiftly broke into the England squad, only for his career to be massively derailed.