Rio Ferdinand has lambasted Manchester United defender Phil Jones for not leaving the club as the former Blackburn defender looks set to stay on for yet another season at the club.
For large spells of his time at Manchester United, Jones has struggled with injuries but the last three years has seen the 29-year-old become alienated from the squad, having only made two Premier League appearances since the start of the 2019/20 season.
Ferdinand has become the latest to question Jones’ intentions at the club and has also urged Jones to ‘find a new club’, arguing that the player is taking up space for a potential youth player.
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Jones is contracted to Manchester United for another two seasons, having signed a four-year deal in 2019. A deal before next week’s transfer deadline is highly unlikely but should resurrect his career this campaign, an exit next year could be possible.
“He’s taking up a youth team player’s position in that squad right now,” Ferdinand is heard saying on Vibe with FIVE, via Daily Mail.
“He’s had too many injuries… I was in the same team as Phil Jones, he came from Blackburn as a young kid, everyone was saying he was going to be this great player. Huge potential but injuries have absolutely annihilated his career and then confidence issues at certain times as well.
“He’s never been able to fully establish himself in the team. Whether it’s injuries, lack of form, lack of confidence. I think he should’ve gone ages ago. He should’ve gone before Chris Smalling went. Find a new club and play some football.”
The attack will be particularly scathing to Jones, with the comments coming from a player he shared a dressing room with for three seasons.
