![\"Phil](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/129772646_gettyimages-1395367162-696x392.jpg\" "\\"Phil")
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Phil Jones will leave Manchester United when his contract expires this summer, after a \u201cvery difficult\u201d few years because of injuries.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old, who has been capped 27 times by England, made 229 appearances for United and scored six goals.<\/p>\n
The defender\u00a0joined in 2011\u00a0from Blackburn Rovers and was part of the Premier League-winning team in 2012-13.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve worked tirelessly hard \u2013 I literally left no stone unturned,\u201d Jones said in a club interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried to get back as quick as I could, every time I was out in the last couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n
His final appearance for United came in a\u00a03-0 win over Brentford\u00a0at the end of last season, and he has been sidelined with injury during this campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I could have played more. I wish I could have given more to the many squads I played amongst. I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I did everything I could,\u201d Jones wrote in an open letter to Manchester United fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been very difficult, the last couple of years, there\u2019s no denying that,\u201d he added in his club interview.<\/p>\n
Jones admitted he felt like he was \u201cletting people down\u201d and that he \u201cfound it hard to even speak to my team-mates\u201d because he was \u201churt that I couldn\u2019t help them\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family have been absolutely instrumental in keeping me on the straight and narrow and keeping me focused, to try to get fit and try to play more.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the highlight for me would have to be the Wolves game [returning from injury last season], when I came back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was just a moment that I\u2019ll never forget. It gives me goosebumps now, thinking about it. I mean I worked so, so hard to get to that stage of fitness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a huge, huge moment in my career and the fans, that day, were incredible. The love that they showed me for that game, the passion that they showed, was sensational.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t thank them enough for that. They\u2019ve been a constant support throughout my time here.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his 12 years at the club, Jones won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s final campaign with United.<\/p>\n
He also won the FA Cup in 2016, the League Cup and Europa League in 2017 and the Community Shield in 2011 and 2013.<\/p>\n
Speaking\u00a0in 2021,\u00a0Jones said had \u201cbeen through hell and back over the last couple of years\u201d after struggling with injury and lockdown.<\/p>\n
He described breaking down in tears and feelings of \u201crage\u201d and helplessness over being labelled a figure of ridicule by some of his own supporters and described once being verbally abused in the street in Hale while out with his two daughters.<\/p>\n
Manchester United said: \u201cOur number four is now taking some time before deciding his next move.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody at United would like to wish Phil the very best of luck for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manager Erik ten Hag said: \u201cHe has a great career, what he achieved, winning the FA Cup, winning Europa League, being present at two World Cups, massive career at Man United.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the credits for his career.\u201d<\/p>\n
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