Mark Hughes confirms Stoke City's interest in signing Manchester United defender Phil Jones

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes admits the club have made enquiries into the availability of Manchester United defender Phil Jones. Jones has been hit by a relentless string of injuries over the past three seasons and was limited to just 10 appearances during the 2015-16 season.

The 24-year-old is yet to make an appearance for Jose Mourinho this season with Eric Bailly, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling all seemingly preferred options at the back.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal have also held interest in signing Jones this summer but United have told their player his future remains at Old Trafford.

Ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday, Stoke boss Hughes has revealed his side have also looked into doing a deal, but suggested it may have been more of a hopeful enquiry rather than anything more definitive.

He told a press conference when asked about the United and England defender: "As I have said, we have made enquiries, we've talked about a lot of players, too many to list, to be perfectly honest. Clearly he is a player who has got good pedigree and is at a good club and sometimes you just enquire to see what the current thinking is on certain players."

The majority of names to have left Old Trafford since Mourinho's Old Trafford have been from the defence. Right-back Guillermo Varela became the first departure, joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan before Paddy McNair and Donald Love both linked up with former United boss David Moyes at Sunderland. Tyler Blackett has also left the club on a permanent deal to sign for Reading, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has joined their Championship rivals Wolves until the end of the season.