Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones confirmed on Friday that he will leave the club after 12 years when his contract expires at the end of the current season, ending an injury-plagued spell at Old Trafford.
Jones, 31, played more than 200 matches with United, but he suffered a difficult period with injuries over the past four seasons, as he participated in only 13 matches since the start of the 2019-2020 season.
In an open letter to United fans, Jones wrote: “My time at Manchester United has been amazing. Wearing this shirt with this logo just once and representing everyone associated with it has been an honor.
“I wish I could have played more. I wish I could have done more for the many teams I’ve played for. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could”.
“This is not a time for sadness. It’s a time for me and my family to look back and be happy that I was able to live a dream life at United.”
The last time Jones played for United was last season during a 3-0 win over Brentford in the English Premier League in May 2022.
He has made 229 appearances for United since joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 and has also participated in 27 international matches with the England national team.
The club said in a statement: Our number four shirt owner needs some time now before deciding on his next move and everyone at United wishes Phil well in the future.
United, fourth in the Premier League, travel to Bournemouth on Saturday as they look to seal their Champions League qualification for next season.
