As the finest player to ever play for Manchester United, he was once said to have the ability to surpass George Best, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney.
However, the Premier League team announced on Friday that Phil Jones, whose career was devastated by injuries, will leave when his contract expires at the end of the year.
The defender was a member of Alex Ferguson’s final league-winning squad before joining United in 2011 from Blackburn Rovers. However, he has only made five appearances over the last three seasons, and he has never lived up to the promise that many people saw in him.
Ferguson remarked in 2013 that “he (could) be our best player ever, based on the way he is looking.” Jones was deemed “phenomenal” and capable of playing wherever on the pitch by United’s former boss.
Some compared his talent to that of United great Duncan Edwards, who passed away in 1958 as a result of injuries incurred in an aircraft crash in Munich that also claimed the lives of many members of the club’s illustrious “Busby Babes” side.
Unfortunately for Jones, the high standards set for him have led to the abuse he has experienced as his career has stumbled. On social media, fans have made fun of everything from his facial expressions to on-field mistakes, which are frequently transformed into internet memes.
Jones is unsure of his future at the age of 31.
United released Jones’ open letter to the club’s supporters on Friday.
“My time at United has been nothing short of incredible,” he said. “I wished I had more time to play. I regret not being able to contribute more to the many squads I played on. I will sincerely state that I did everything within my power. I complied with all of the medical staff’s requests.
“In the pursuit of living my dream and getting the chance to play for Manchester United on the field, I never left a stone unturned.”
Jones played for United 229 times and represented England 27 times.
Throughout his time at United, he has battled a number of ailments as well as a persistent knee issue.