Solskjaer hits back at Rio Ferdinand over Phil Jones comments

Phil Jones

, who has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Old Trafford, has only played two Premier League games in the last two seasons.

Former United center-back

Rio Ferdinand

accused the 29-year-old of blocking the path of academy prospects at Old Trafford and suggested he should not be selfish and offer to leave the club.

“He’s taking up a youth team player’s position in that squad right now,”

Ferdinand told

.<em>

“He’s had too many injuries… I was in the same team as Phil Jones, he came from Blackburn as a young kid, everyone was saying he was going to be this great player.

But

Solskjaer

relished the chance to stick up for Jones on Friday when he fired back at Ferdinand.

"Phil has had a horrible 18, 19, 20 months and probably a year before that as well with injuries,"

he said

. "I think Rio was a bit, not out of order, he should have called me and asked why Phil hasn't played or why Phil hasn't been here.

"Phil is a no-fuss, get-on-with-it type of guy, and I think that was out of order completely [from Ferdinand]. I know more than anyone how it feels to be injured.

"Phil is still not 30 years of age. Since I came back here, he's battled against his knee injury and he put his body on the line every single training session, every single game. There are a few times we've had to manage him, and he's never done anything but give everything for the club.

"Rio of all should know more than go out and say this. I wanted to say a lot, I've not said a lot about Phil's injury because I protect him, he never does social media, never has to do interviews, just gets his head down, proper professional, no fuss, a family man, and just wants to get back fit.

"I was out for two years in a three-year period with a knee injury and Phil has battled valiantly and I know how Phil has felt. Because you're embarrassed at times coming in, but he has to look after his career and he's now getting back to fitness.

"Now is not the time for me to throw him in. Maybe give him a little more, a month, six weeks and he'll be there. For me as a manager to see he can see light at end of the tunnel, it's great because I've been through the same."

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