Jones still in Solskjaer’s plans

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Phil Jones


Phil Jones reportedly remains part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans for Manchester United for the current Premier League season.

The Red Devils paid £42m to bring Raphael Varane from Real Madrid this summer, while allowing Axel Tuanzebe to join Aston Villa on loan for the season.
Solskjaer now has Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Jones as possible options in the centre of defence this campaign.
Jones has never started more than 25 matches in the Premier League for Man United since moving to Old Trafford from Blackburn Rovers in 2011.
His time at the club has been plagued by injury and the centre-back has only made two Premier League appearances in the last two seasons.
It was reported towards the end of July that West Ham were interested in bringing Jones to the London Stadium with many expecting him to leave Man Utd this summer.
However, the Daily Mail now claim that Jones ‘will be staying’ at the club this season despite finding himself way down the pecking order under Solskjaer.
He played for the first time for 19 months last night in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley, which United won 3-1.
Jones ‘is keen to rebuild his United career and Solskjaer plans to use him as one of five centre-backs’ this campaign.
Speaking in late July, Solskjaer said: “Phil Jones is coming back in. He’s due to start training over the weekend when we’ve got everyone in on Monday.
“That’s a big plus for him. I’ve had similar troubles in my career, he’s such a professional, good lad and it’s great to see him ready to train again.
“So hopefully he can, first of all, train with us and then get game time soon. If he can play in the Under-23s to start with or the reserves or we can arrange a behind-closed-doors game for him because I know exactly the feeling after being out for so long.
“You just want to feel your way in and he’s always served the club and it was time for him to look after himself and his own health, but now he’s ready to train with us.”