Phil Jones set to end Old Trafford career and join Wayne Rooney at DC United

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By Martin Graham | 17th Jul 2022

The career of Phil Jones at Man Utd is close to an end, with DC United interested in signing the defender. Wayne Rooney is optimistic about signing the Englishman, his former teammate, but both player and club must reach a compromise.

There is plenty of work for Manchester United to do to get back to their glory days. Once upon a time, there was not a list of Premier League contenders without Manchester United as one of the favourites to win. It seems like a distant past, yet, eight years ago, the Red Devils were Premier League champions.

In the eight years that have elapsed, arch-rivals Liverpool have won the Premier League and Champions League – a feat almost impossible with Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm. As Ferguson was leaving Manchester United, it seemed he left the club in a good place, but things have unravelled, and the club is in its worst state.

Sir Alex Ferguson brought in some players in the twilight of his Manchester United managerial career that was supposed to carry on the legacy he had built at the club. Phil Jones was one of the players signed by the Scotsman, but many years after, it is a wonder he has lasted this long at the club.

However, Phil Jones’ career at Manchester United is about to come to a halt.

Saving Phil Jones

Manchester United signed Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 for a purported transfer fee of around £16.5 million. The deal has not worked out fine, with the English defender managing 269 appearances in 11 years. After what has turned out to be a misadventure, Jones is about to be brought out of his misery.

Sir Alex Ferguson saw in Phil Jones, a future England captain. The former Manchester United manager was impressed by Jones after Blackburn Rovers forced the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw and went ahead to sign him. It has been a painful spell for the defender at United, and there are reports that he could be bailed out of the torment by Wayne Rooney, who has taken over the managerial reins at DC United.

Reports suggest a potential move is on the cards as Rooney is interested in bringing him to the MLS. Rooney took charge of DC United last week. The appointment came after his resignation as Derby County boss. Jones has had injury issues and seen limited game time at Old Trafford, but Rooney fancies landing the defender.

Finding a compromise

Signing Phil Jones is not as straightforward as it seems. Despite being out of favour at Old Trafford and way down the pecking order, Jones is keen to see out the final 12 months of his United career. There are several land mines on his path to securing the signature of his fellow Englishman.

To sign Jones from Man United, the player and the club need to find a middle ground. A compromise is essential to the deal happening.

The former England international is on a salary that is beyond the pay structure at DC United. Jones earns £ 120,000 a week and would need the Red Devils to subsidize the bulk of those wages for the loan deal should happen.

Jones is currently not part of the party for pre-season in the Far East and Australia. It suggests that his days on the sidelines will be elongated, except he chooses to leave the club.

Rooney is also interested in another United reject. The former Derby boss also wants to sign Jesse Lingard.