Jones close to making a return to Man Utd after 20 months
The Red Devils defender has not played for his side since January 2020 as he had to deal with a long-term knee injury.
Phil Jones
revealed that he can see "light at the end of the tunnel" for him at
Manchester United, with the versatile player enduring almost two years of being sidelined.
The 29-year-old has not made an appearance for United since January 2020, as he has been struggling with a knee injury and had to undergo surgery.
The England international is now close to making a return and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is maintaining an open door for him.
Jones told United's official club podcast after being almost a forgotten man:
"I’m feeling good at the minute.
"Obviously, I’ve been through hell and back over the last couple of years. I struggled with my knee a little bit and [there] came a point after lockdown where I thought enough was enough.
"I kept myself in great shape over lockdown and came back. But I remember just training out here [Carrington] and going into the doc and saying ‘enough’s enough’. Unfortunately, there was going to be time off the pitch, which I knew was going to be difficult for me, but it was something that I had to do.
"Thankfully, I see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and I’ve been back training, played a few behind-closed-doors games and I’m feeling really good at the minute.
"It’s so good to be back out training with the lads and enjoying being a footballer again because for the last 15 months, it’s been all ‘daddy daycare’ and not much football."
Jones has been with the Red Devils since 2011 when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Blackburn and he made 224 appearances for the club.
His current contract is due to expire in 2023 and he has to compete with players like Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane for game time, but he is keen and determined to make the most out of his return.
Jones added:
"[It’s been] tough. I think as a footballer, as a person, as a human being, that’s the lowest I probably ever felt in my life.
"You try and get a balance between football and family life but it was so difficult going home and trying to look after the kids. You’re there, but you’re not there, you’re not present. It’s nice to get that balance back.
"I think at first, I’ll be brutally honest, I found it really tough to watch football, just in general because you can’t do anything about it. You’re stuck, you’re off your feet. Coming into the training ground every day, it’s hard to get going because you’re going to be out for so long and I knew that getting the operation.
"But thankfully, I have a good team around me, family, friends, and I got through it."
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