‘Devastated’ Phil Jones rejects chance to have Man Utd testimonial

Phil Jones is reported to have rejected the chance to have a testimonial at Manchester United due to what has been the player’s acceptance of his “flagging popularity”.

Jones joined United in a £16.5million deal from Blackburn way back in 2011 and, having signed a new four-year deal with the club earlier this year, would be due a testimonial for 10 years service in summer 2021.

However, despite his long service at United, he’s never truly lived up to his early billing and has become something of a butt of jokes due to a number of high-profile errors and perhaps, more unfairly, some of the faces he pulls when playing football.

As such, The Athletic say he rejected the prospect of including a testimonial in his latest contract because of his status as a regrettable punchline.

It is added that Jones ‘tends to turn the joke on himself’ and when asked about the situation earlier this year, the player responded by saying: “Apart from my mum and dad, who else would turn up?”

Jones knows his stock has arguably never been lower with the player’s performance against Sheffield United on Sunday doing him no favours, with the defender hauled off on his Premier League start of the season having been given the runaround by Blades frontman Lys Mousset.

The story adds that Jones was “devastated” after last weekend’s Sheffield United game and accepts he needs an immediate improvement if he’s to earn another chance and if he’s to get his doubters back on side.

 

Nonetheless, the player clearly enjoys life at United and under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the player quick to highlight the Norwegian’s abilities.

“His man management skills are terrific and he’s definitely what we need going forward. Everyone can see that (he has laid foundations),” Jones said earlier this year.

“The fans, the media, everyone can see what he’s done and how he wants to play since he has come.”

Jones has won 27 England caps and playing 164 Premier League games for United during his time at the club.

 

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