• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Manchester United fans are concerned about Phil Jones after Erik ten Hag's latest comment

Home> Football

Published 11:51 28 Jan 2023 GMT

Manchester United fans are concerned about Phil Jones after Erik ten Hag's latest comment

The Man United defender has not been seen all season; he's only played five times since the 2019/20 campaign

Dominic Booth

Dominic Booth

Manchester United fans are becoming increasingly concerned about Phil Jones' welfare after Erik ten Hag gave a rare update on the forgotten defender's fitness.

Jones, 30, has only played five times (including just two starts) for United since the end of the 2019/20 campaign – all of those appearances coming under Ralf Rangnick in the latter part of last season – and hasn't featured in a matchday whatsoever under Ten Hag.

And the Dutchman revealed in his latest press conference before the FA Cup clash with Reading that Jones has failed to complete a single training session all season.

The former Ajax boss was asked whether a decision had been taken on Jones' future, given that his contract is due to expire in five months.

"No, it's not been taken until now," Ten Hag replied. "The [contract] decision about that is for the summer, but for the whole season he's injured."

Asked if Jones will ever play for United again, the manager said: "I can't say.

Advert

"What I can say is that he's not available for training since the first day of training this season so I think there's not an opportunity for you to recover quickly and be available quickly."

Jones has suffered a string of serious injuries for United and Ten Hag's comments prompted a debate among fans on social media.

Amid the inevitable criticism, many United fans stood up for Jones, who has previously opened up about struggles with his mental health and dealing with the physical injuries themselves.

Advert

United fan Si Lloyd said: "I feel for Phil Jones. Nobody commenting on here knows the extent of his injury problems but it’s been clear for a long time he’s been unlucky in that respect. It’s also not his fault that, aware of his history, the club decided to give him a contract extension when they did."

Another replied: "Glad someone has said this. He’s an honest player I think that’s just been horrifically misfortune with injuries."

Jones is unavailable for United's FA Cup fourth round tie against Reading, which kicks off at Old Trafford at 8pm on Saturday.

Read more: Roy Keane had everyone in stitches after watching Pep Guardiola's awkward pre-match interview

Featured Image Credit: PA/Alamy

Topics: Phil Jones, Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United

Dominic Booth
Dominic Booth

Dominic is a freelance journalist for SportBible who also works for the Evening Standard and Sporting News and was formerly a Manchester United writer and editor for the MEN. He's a big Test cricket fan and Arctic Monkeys obsessive.

X

@DomBooth19

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Phil Jones opens up on Erik ten Hag's first day in charge at Man Utd that marked the end of his career
  • Fans think Jadon Sancho's Manchester United career is over after Erik ten Hag's post-match comments
  • Erik ten Hag's last act as Manchester United manager was a brutal one as details emerge around sacking
  • Erik ten Hag's response when asked about Jadon Sancho's penalty miss speaks volumes

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Ex-Chelsea wonderkid tipped to be 'football's next big thing' announces shock retirement from football

    The player made seven appearances for Chelsea and was once compared to Eden Hazard.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Alexander Isak 'cut price tag' revealed as Liverpool deal with Newcastle 'in play'

    The Newcastle United forward has attracted interest from several top clubs this summer.

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the new Luka Modric for Real Madrid and it could be the signing of the summer

    The Real Madrid boss could be set to replace the veteran midfielder, who will leave the club later this summer.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future

    Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Inter Miami.

    Football