Man Utd confirm Phil Jones to return after 629 days out following Raphael Varane injury

Lingard thrilled to have Ronaldo back at Man Utd

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Manchester United have confirmed Phil Jones is fit to return this weekend at Leicester should he be selected by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. By the time kick-off at the King Power Stadium comes around, it will have been 629 days since his last outing when he featured in United’s 6-0 thrashing of Tranmere in January 2020.

A lot has changed since then including the Red Devils’ centre-back options with Jones now way down the pecking order.

Yet the defender could still earn the chance to feature as part of Solskjaer’s squad after signing a new four-year deal back in 2019.

Raphael Varane is certain to miss the clash with Leicester after being ruled out for several weeks through injury and United are light on the ground at centre-back.

Harry Maguire is also a potential doubt for the meeting with the Foxes despite revealing his condition is improving.

JUST IN: Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea join forces with private jet ahead of Premier League return

“Yeah it’s getting there,” Maguire told United’s website.

“I still haven’t trained yet with the squad, but I am getting better, I am progressing as I should be. It is obviously a frustrating injury for me to get, but I am progressing and I will be back on the pitch soon.”

Now United have confirmed that both Jones and Marcus Rashford are in line to return this weekend with both expected to be part of the matchday squad.

“Phil Jones and Marcus Rashford have both been training with the first team over the international break following their long-term injuries and the duo could feature against Leicester in our 15:00 BST kick-off at the King Power Stadium on Saturday,” a club statement read.

DON’T MISS
Man Utd ‘had £72m Kylian Mbappe bid rejected’ and how dream Mourinho window played out
Newcastle owners ‘ready to pay £8m Steve Bruce sack fee’ due to Tottenham fear
Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea join forces with private jet ahead of Premier League return

Jones has faced a long road back following surgery on his knee but he has already featured for the club’s Under-23 side.

The 29-year-old recently completed the full 90 minutes against both Arsenal and Brighton respectively.

It’s understood Solskjaer has already informed Jones he is part of his plans this season, although game time will be limited.

Speaking to United’s club website, Jones is finally looking to put his injury troubles in his rear-view mirror.

Follow our new Daily Express Sport Instagram page here…

“I’ve been through hell and back over the last couple of years,” Jones he said last month.

“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 [at 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.”

Source: Read Full Article