Injury Spell Bound Phil Jones Could Make Manchester United Return After 20 Months

Phil Jones is in line to make his first Manchester United appearance in 20 months when they host West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Jones kicked the ball in anger for United’s first team in January 2020. This was during a FA Cup third-round match against Tranmere Rovers. Jones scored the fourth goal and sixth goal in a comfortable win.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team was safely through the fourth round. The defender decided that he would have to undergo surgery to address a knee issue that had been bothering him for years. The 29-year old has been out of the first team for a long time, but it could soon be over at Old Trafford.

Phil Jones is set to make his Manchester United comeback in tonight's Carabao Cup tie against West Ham

Jones has been building his fitness, featuring in some behind closed doors matches and for the U23s, and Solskjaer has praised the center-half for his professionalism during his near two-year ordeal.

“I’m so happy for Phil,” Solskjaer told Manchester United’s official website. “He has completed two 90 minutes for the Under-23s, played some minutes behind closed doors and he’s got no reaction on his knee. He’s been working really hard.”

Jones hasn't featured for United since an FA Cup tie against Tranmere in January 2020

The Red Devils boss knows exactly what it’s like to be sidelined with a knee injury, having suffered from similar complaints during his own playing days.

“I’ve been part of that myself and had the best part of three years or at least more than two out of three years, and I know what challenges he’s been through, mentally, thinking: ‘Will I ever play football again or even be able to walk again and be able to play with the kids in the garden.’

Injury Spell Bound Phil Jones Could Make Manchester United Return After 20 Months
Manchester United’s Phil Jonesphl

“He’s been so diligent and so professional; no-frills, no social media, and I are old school. Like that, I admire players. He just focuses on one thing and gets his head around the challenges and he’s back.

Jones has been selected in the squad to play against West Ham in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup Third Round tie.

This is among several changes expected, as Eric Bailly and Diogo Dalot are also included. Jesse Lingard, Alex Telles, Jesse Lingard, Jesse Lingard, Jesse Van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, and Donny van der Beek are also available for Old Trafford.

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