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“Should have gone ages ago”: Rio Ferdinand blasts Manchester United defender Phil Jones

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Jones is currently recovering from an injury.

Rio Ferdinand is displeased with Manchester United forgotten man Phil Jones

According to Rio Ferdinand, who spoke on the latest episode of Vibe with FIVE on YouTube (h/t Pundit Arena), Phil Jones should have left Manchester United years ago.

Jones, who has not donned the famous red jersey for over 18 months now, went through an injury and is now yet to gain match fitness. However, the player was not on top of the pecking order back when he was fit either, as Solskjaer preferred the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and Axel Tuanzebe ahead of the Englishman.

Club legend Rio Ferdinand, who shared a dressing room with the player once upon a time, has blasted the 29-year-old for staying at the club so long despite remaining injured for a long time.

Phil Jones is included in the Premier League squad for Manchester United. (GETTY Images)
Phil Jones has not played for United for 18 months. (GETTY Images)

Ferdinand told Vibe with FIVE’s YouTube channel (h/t Pundit Arena):

“He’s (Jones) taking up a youth team player’s position. Injuries have absolutely annihilated his career and so have confidence issues at certain times. He should have gone ages ago, he should have gone before Chris Smalling went. He should have gone to a new club and just found some form and played some football.”

Jones’ contract will expire in 2023

Ferdinand went on to say that if he was sharing a dressing room with a player like Jones, he would not have talked to them. 

“If I was in a squad with someone like that, I’m not talking to them. They’re a waste of time”.

Jones was linked with a move away this summer as West Ham tried to sign the player on a free transfer. But the trail has gone cold and with still two years left on his contract, the England defender is proving to be ‘unsellable‘.

Jones was close to joining West Ham this summer

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However, for now, Jones remains a part of United and will play as a fifth-choice centre-back behind Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, and Victor Lindelof.