“Daddy daycare”: 29-year-old Man United ace talks about return to full training after long-term injury

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·18 September 2021

“Daddy daycare”: 29-year-old Man United ace talks about return to full training after long-term injury

Phil Jones shares his thoughts on returning to Manchester United training after long-term injury

Talking about his return from injury in the upcoming episode of the official Manchester United podcast, Phil Jones shared his happiness on being able to train with the first team again.

The English defender has had a nightmare spell on the sidelines with a long-term knee problem putting him out of action for about 15 months. But he has since worked hard on his fitness and is nearing full recovery.

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His last Premier League appearance for Man United came in January 2020 against Burnley. Since then, United have seen Harry Maguire pair up with the likes of Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and more recently, Raphael Varane in defence.

Phil Jones has returned from a long-term knee injury for Manchester United. (GETTY Images)

But Jones is now back in training and on the road to make a return on the pitch for the Red Devils. Speaking on the podcast, he revealed what it took to deal with the setback.

Jones back in training

“I kept myself in great shape over lockdown and came back. But I remember just training out here [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.”

Now nearing a full recovery, the former Blackburn Rovers defender is relieved to see ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’. There is no set date on when he will be back on the pitch, but it shouldn’t be too far away now.

Victor Lindelof is already pushing for a starting spot behind Varane and Maguire at the moment.

“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. It’s so good to be back out training with the lads and enjoying being a footballer again because for the last 15 months, it’s been all ‘daddy daycare’ and not much football.”

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It’s pretty evident that Jones will not be a regular starter at the club anymore. Club captain Maguire is partnered with the decorated and highly-rated Raphael Varane. Lindelof is perhaps next in the pecking order, but there is no reason why Jones shouldn’t get an occasional run in cup games.