Manchester United are reportedly preparing to allow Phil Jones to leave the club in January, with both Arsenal and Liverpool among those interested in the defender.
Jones is yet to make an appearance for the Red Devils this season after the 24-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury in the Premier League against Swansea midway through last term.
The Sun suggest Jose Mourinho is now ready to offload the England man in the next transfer window after becoming frustrated with his lack of progress since his setback.
It’s understood a number of top English clubs, including both the Gunners and Liverpool, are long-term admirers of Jones and would make a move for him if he becomes available.
“Jose is looking to offload Jones. They have reached the end of the line with him,” a United insider reportedly told the Sun.
“Arsenal have asked about him in the past along with Chris Smalling, and they are keeping an eye on his situation.
“He cannot stay fit and that is why United tried to sign Jose Fonte from Southampton in the summer.”
The England international has been hampered by injuries since his move to Old Trafford from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 and was restricted to just 13 appearances for United last season due to ankle and foot problems.
Daley Blind and Eric Bailly have started as United’s central defensive partnership in every game so far this season.
In recent years Jones’ name has been synonymous with the treatment room, a Darren Anderton for modern times. According to transfermarkt.com, the former Blackburn Rovers player has suffered 14 different injuries since he moved to United in 2011.
To break it down he’s been out with knee problems, sprained ankles, shoulder injuries, shin splints, malleolar issues, concussion, back troubles and thrombosis for good measure.
At 24, Jones still has plenty of time ahead and there’s the theory that defenders only begin to peak later on in their career. The real problem for United’s number four is that his development has effectively stalled.
This season Jones had the opportunity to go out on loan to Stoke City in search of first team football. It was a move that never materialised. A change of scenery could have been just the tonic for Jones in order to re-establish some form of playing rhythm.
As it stands, Jones will need an extended period of clean health to rebuild his career at Old Trafford – and he must hope that the other players competing for his position suffer a dip in form or a long-term injury.
That scenario looks extremely unlikely and even if it came to pass one suspect that Jose Mourinho would be tempted to dip into the transfer market again to shore up his backline and not turn to the former Blackburn player.