KEY POINTS

  • Phil Jones has not played for Manchester United since January.
  • The 24-year-old defender suffered a knee ligament injury during training.

Phil Jones's injury nightmare looks set to continue after the Manchester United defender suffered yet another setback during his recovery from a knee injury suffered earlier in the month. The Englishman suffered knee ligament damage in training and was expected to be sidelined for around one month, but his recovery is expected to take longer after the latest setback.

The Sun reports that the midfielder has been fitted with a knee brace to stabilise the joint, which will keep him out for longer than the initial period of one month. The England international is yet to make a competitive appearance under Jose Mourinho this season, with his only appearance coming during Wayne Rooney's testimonial game against Everton.

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Jones has been plagued by injuries since his move to United from Blackburn Rovers and his latest setback could see him miss almost the entire year. His last competitive appearance for the Red Devils first-team was at the start of January when he played 45 minutes against Swansea City before suffering an ankle injury.

Jose Mourinho has included the defender in his first-team squad for the Premier League and Europa League campaign, but his lack of fitness to compete for a place has seen him fall down in the pecking order. Daley Blind, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and possibly Timothy Fosu-Mensah are all ahead of him for a place at centre-back.

'Manchester United future'

The 24-year-old's lack of fitness has reportedly prompted the club to reassess his future and according to the Sun, the Portuguese manager is ready to sanction his sale. They are keen to get him off their books owing to his hefty £110,000-a-week wage package.

Phil Jones
Phil Jones suffered a knee injury during a training session earlier this month Getty

Arsenal and Liverpool are said to be monitoring his situation and could possibly make a move to sign him during the January transfer window. Both clubs, however, are secure in terms of defensive cover with the Gunners having signed Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi this summer, while the Reds have signed Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip.

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