Phil Jones was a Sky Sports pundit for Carabao Cup final while still registered as a Man United player

There was a rare sighting of Phil Jones at Wembley Stadium but not on the pitch, with the Manchester United defender instead providing punditry for Sky Sports.

Jones signed for United in 2011 from Blackburn Rovers and has gone on to make 229 appearances for the club.

However, his appearances have been extremely limited in recent years due to persistent injuries.

After coming out from the cold to play five times last term, Jones hasn't played a single minute this season and is no longer on the club's squad-list on the back of the United programme.

Erik ten Hag revealed that he hasn't even participated in a training session since his arrival.

And while his United teammates walked out at Wembley against Newcastle, he was part of Sky Sports' coverage alongside the likes of Roy Keane, Gary Neville, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and presenter Mark Chapman.

Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome ... Phil Jones.pic.twitter.com/OdxMFTcjap

— Regista (@registaco) February 26, 2023

Jones provided insight on what Casemiro has added to the side, the remarkable form of Marcus Rashford and gave an update on his situation.

“I’m good," he said.

"It’s been a long road. There’s no hiding away from that.

“I’m a strong character. I’m doing everything I can to get out on the pitch. I love playing football it’s something I love doing, so that’s the aim.

"I have had to deal with that [the mental challenges] and I think I have. I have had a good support around me, my family, friends and especially the club. The club have been absolutely fantastic with me, I can't thank them enough and I am grateful for that."

But the randomness of his punditry gig garnered a lot of reaction amongst fans, with many critical of his appearance on the TV.

One commented: "Phil Jones becoming a pundit for Sky Sports is the most random thing I have ever seen."

Another said: "Isn’t Phil Jones still an active player for United? How is he a pundit on the Sky panel?"

A third opined: "How tf has Phil Jones finessed his way into punditry for Sky Sports??"

A fourth struggled to hide their frustration, writing: "We pay Phil Jones £75k a week to be a pundit for Sky Sports."

A fifth weighed in: "Not Phil Jones literally working for Sky Sports for this final whilst still being employed by the club. He's acting retired yet we're still paying his wages."

Jones is out of contract in the summer and United are unlikely to end his stay at Old Trafford. His last game was a substitute appearance in a 3-0 win over Brentford in May 2019.