Departing Phil Jones turned down Manchester United testimonial

Phil Jones has turned down the offer of a Manchester United testimonial as he prepares to leave the club this summer.

The 31-year-old, who’s endured a torrid few years at Old Trafford, looks set to leave at the end of his contract this summer.

Having represented the club for over ten years, Jones is entitled to have a testimonial to mark his loyal service to the club, however according to The Athletic, that won’t be happening.

The player is reportedly aware of his ‘flagging popularity’ at Old Trafford and when asked, regular jokes that, ‘apart from my mum and dad, who else would turn up?’

Jones arrived at the club in 2011 as one of the hottest young stars in English football, but after a promising start to life at the club injuries took hold.

Due to a long-running knee problem, Jones has started just two games in the last three years.

The defender hasn’t even managed to train with Man United‘s first team during the last 12 months, last being spotted with the senior group in May 2022.

Jones was handed a new contract by Jose Mourinho back in 2019 and has only made 16 starts in that time. He was replaced at half-time in five of them.

The Manchester Evening News reports Jones is one of five Man United players who look set to be released in the summer.

Also heading for the exit door is defender Axel Tuanzebe, Northern Irish midfielder Ethan Galbraith, academy goalkeeper Ondrej Mastny and academy midfielder Charlie Wellens.