Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones has announced that he is leaving the club at the end of the season.
The centre-back, who joined the club from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, has not trained all season and was last visible in a training session at Carrington in May last year. He last played for the Reds on May 2 2022, stepping off the bench in a 3-0 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.
Jones has played 229 games for the 20-time Premier League (PL) winners and has scored six goals. He was a part of the PL winning team in 2012/13.
"It's been very difficult, the last couple of years," Jones told club media. "There's no denying that. There is no hiding away from that.
"My family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more. And, you know, I've missed playing football. I missed it.
"You grow up playing football and all you want to do is play football. It's all I've known, from such a young age, is to do what you love doing for a living. I've been fortunate enough to do that, albeit not as much as I would have liked,” he added.
Talking about his constant battle with injuries, the 31-year-old stated that he always tried his best to recover as fast as possible every time he had to face an injury.
"I've worked tirelessly hard. I literally left no stone unturned. I tried to get back as quick as I could, every time I was out in the last couple of years.
"I think the highlight for me would have to be the Wolves game [his return from injury last season], when I came back. That was just a moment that I'll never forget. It gives me goosebumps now, thinking about it. I mean I worked so, so hard to get to that stage of fitness.”
Jones had nothing but respect for his club and the fans for supporting him throughout his career with The Reds.
"That was a huge, huge moment in my career and the fans, that day, were incredible. The love that they showed me for that game, the passion that they showed, was sensational. And I can't thank them enough for that. They've been a constant support throughout my time here."