Reaction as Manchester United star is sacked from the dressing room

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has stamped his authority at Old Trafford after the Dutchman has succeeded in booting out one of the Red Devils oldest stars at the Theatre of Dream.

National Daily gathered that United defender Phil Jones who has only played five games since January 2020 due to injury and the Englishman is yet to feature under Erik ten Hag since he resumed at Old Trafford in May has been ‘axed’ from the dressing room by the former Ajax boss.

And reacting to the development, United’s former defender and captain, Rio Ferdinand who played alongside Jones between August 2011 and May 2014, hopes that his compatriot can reignite his career and still play regularly again in the near future – whether that’s at Old Trafford or elsewhere.

“Listen, I’ve got to be honest, I hope it’s not true,” Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcast when asked about Jones’ alleged axe. “If it is true, that’s Erik ten Hag laying it out and saying: ‘You’re not a part of my plans, moving forward you’re surplus to requirements.

“But that’s the game man. If you’re not involved and you’re not part of the first-team going forward, why are you going to be taking up someone else’s space? There might be a young player who Ten Hag wants to come in and gain some experience in the dressing room.

“We have to wait and see but Phil Jones, if he’s still there but been demoted to the reserves, that’s a hard pill to swallow. He’s suffered some really horrific injuries so I just hope he stays fit and at some point, he’ll be able to go out and play somewhere.”

National Daily understands that the 30-year-old Jones has enjoyed a successful career at Old Trafford following his huge-money transfer from Blackburn 11 years ago where he can so far boast of 229 appearances while winning the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League.

The former England international who has just one year remaining on his existing deal, with the option of a further one year has revealed the mental and physical battle he has endured due to his knee injury while speaking 12 months ago. “I’ve been through hell and back over the last couple of years,” he told United’s website. “I struggled with my knee a little bit and (there) came a point after lockdown where I thought enough was enough.

Sadly, Jones has only played just five games since January 2020 due to a knee injury and is yet to make the matchday squad for any United’s six Premier League games this season. It’s claimed Ten Hag has booted him alongside Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Tegen Mendi and Shola Shoretire out of the dressing room to make space for United’s new signings – Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka.