Fit-again Phil Jones ‘asks to play for Manchester United’s Under-23 side’ as he fights for a first-team opportunity under Ralf Rangnick… with interim boss ‘impressed by the defender’s commitment in training’
- Phil Jones has reportedly asked for game time with Manchester United’s U23s
- New manager Ralf Rangnick is said to be impressed with defender in training
- Jones is keen to gain match sharpness as he eyes a return to the first-team
- Ex-England international is yet to make an appearance for Red Devils this year
- United’s U23 side host Chelsea on Friday for final game before the winter break
Phil Jones has reportedly asked to play for Manchester United’s Under 23 side in an attempt to build match sharpness, having impressed interim-manager Ralf Rangnick.
The 29-year-old has not made an appearance for the Red Devils this season, but has been included in the squad for Rangnick’s first two Premier League matches in charge.
According to The Athletic, the German manager is said to be impressed with Jones’ commitment in training and would’ve selected the centre-back against Young Boys in the Champions League had he been eligible for the competition.
Phil Jones has requested to play for the Man United U23s in a bid to gain match sharpness
With the defender not registered for Europe, Jones has now asked to be included in Manchester United’s upcoming Under-23 fixture as a way of gaining match fitness.
Jones has already made an appearance for Neil Wood’s side this term, losing 3-1 to Arsenal in September. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson also featured that day.
United host Chelsea at the Leigh Sports Village on Friday night in a Premier League 2 match kicking off at 7pm.
The 29-year-old’s last first-team appearance came against Tranmere Rovers in January 2020. Since then he has suffered a number of injury set-backs and was sidelined for 18 months in total.
Jones (left) hasn’t made a first-team appearance since beating Tranmere Rovers in Jan 2020
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick is said to be impressed with the defender’s application in training
The centre-back’s exclusion from the first-team has been through no fault of his own, with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hitting out at criticism of the Englishman.
Speaking to the club website in the summer, Solsjkaer said: ‘Phil has had a horrible 18-19 months and probably a year before that as well with injuries.
‘Phil is a no fuss, get-on-with-it type of guy. I know more than anyone how it feels to be injured at that stage.
‘He’s still not 30 years of age. Since I came here, he’s battled with this knee injury, he’s put his body on the line, every single training session, every single game.’
