Phil Jones has opened up about the moment he realised his Manchester United career had come to an end after a nightmare battle against injuries.
The retired defender spent 12 years at Old Trafford between 2011 and 2023, before officially hanging up his boots in August.
Jones made 229 appearances for the club since signing from Blackburn Rovers, but was restricted to just 13 appearances in his final four years at the club due to injuries.
Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Jones revealed he had hoped for a fresh start under Erik ten Hag when the Dutchman took over as manager ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Jones admitted had based his summer holiday around his needs to be prepared for pre-season, only to discover in his first session he unable to pass the ball with his right foot.
Phil Jones has reflected on how he knew his Man United career was over amid his injury woes
The defender had expressed hope he could have a fresh start under manager Erik ten Hag
He revealed he was then unable to pass the ball with his right foot in Ten Hag’s first session
‘I was really excited, Erik ten Hag had come in, a fresh start, you are out on the grass with your kit on and boots on again,’ Jones said.
‘I was feeling my knee again a little bit but I thought it has got to go away at some point, it is not just going to stay there forever.
‘We were doing a drill around a circuit, you would play the ball, pass it into the net and jog around through the cones in a little warm-up.
‘I couldn’t pass the ball with my right foot, a little soft pass, I couldn’t pass the ball. I wanted the world to swallow me up.
‘I was thinking this manager has come in and I can’t go in 20 minutes into the session. I got through the session passing the ball with the outside of my left foot.
‘I did this turn or sprint and just felt it, and I was like I can’t carry on. At the drinks break I came over to the physio and my words were “this is my last training session”. To this day it was my last training session’.
The defender, who won 27 England caps during his career, revealed he had been in tears in the car travelling home from the training session.
Jones, however, admitted the ending his career ultimately came as a relief having acknowledged he had put off the decision for a while.
The 32-year-old had previously praised Ten Hag during a punditry appearance in 2023, stating that the Dutchman had made him feel ‘valued’ despite his injury troubles.
Jones endured an injury plagued end to his Man United career amid a recurring knee problem
The centre back had won the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson before injuries struck
Jones had also spoken of the mental trauma of his situation, having been the target of online trolls due to his battle with injury.
The centre back was part of the team which won the Premier League in 2012-13, as legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson walked away after 27 years at the club.
He also won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at the club.
Jones has since announced his ambition to begin a career in management having worked on his coaching badges.
