Phil Jones to leave Manchester United after injury-ravaged 12 years at Old Trafford
English footballer, Phil Jones will be leaving Manchester United at the end of June to embark on a new chapter of his life.
Jones who joined Manchester United following a £16million transfer from Blackburn in the summer of 2011, barely featured for United over the past few years due to injuries.
The 31-year-old played 229 times, scoring six goals for United and helping them win one Premier League title, an FA Cup, and the Europa League.
Jones, who is yet to decide whether he will carry on playing, shared an emotional statement confirming his exit on social media.
The English footballer wrote on Twitter;
“My time at Manchester United has been nothing short of incredible. To wear this shirt just once, to wear this badge and represent everyone associated with it, was an honour. I wish I could have played more. I wish I could have given more to the many squads I played alongside. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could. I did everything the medical team asked of me. I never left a stone unturned in the pursuit of living my dream and having the opportunity to represent Manchester United. It’s not a time to be sad. It’s a time to look back, for me and my family, and be happy that I managed to live a dream at United. I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me at Manchester United, where I’ve made friends for life.”
Letter to the fans. pic.twitter.com/fmNV1eR9np
— Phil Jones (@PhilJones4) May 19, 2023
The centre back told Manchester United’s website;
“It’s been very difficult, the last couple of years. 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.
“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. 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.”
