Phil Jones set to stay at Man Utd beyond transfer deadline

Phil Jones is set to stay at Manchester United beyond the transfer window’s deadline next week.

Jones has spent more than 18 months on the sidelines with a knee injury and has not featured for the Red Devils since a 6-0 win against Tranmere in January 2020, with the defender having been linked with an exit throughout the summer.

The 29-year-old has been ravaged by injury problems and has made just 20 league appearances since forming part of the England squad at the 2018 World Cup.

It had been suggested that the likes of Newcastle and Burnley had shown an interest in the defender, while he was also open to a move to the top end of the Championship.

According to The Athletic though, the player’s wages are proving prohibitive to a move away, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopeful the defender can provide an option for his squad.

The former Blackburn centre-back came through a behind-closed-doors friendly with Burnley last week and another game has been scheduled at the club’s Carrington training ground for those bidding to prove their fitness.

Jones’ long history of injury issues and wages appear to make a transfer unrealistic before the transfer deadline on August 31, with no offers having arrived for a player who still has two years to run on his current contract.

Meanwhile, youngster Teden Mengi is also expected to remain around the first-team squad this season after a loan spell at Derby last term.

Read – Five top drawer players hoping for a transfer before the window closes