Phil Jones 'rejected Man Utd testimonial' because he feared no one would turn up

Phil Jones reportedly rejected the offer a testimonial at Manchester United because he feared that no one would turn up.

The England defender signed a new four-year deal at Old Trafford in February that will take his time at the club beyond a decade.

But he turned down the opportunity to celebrate his service to the club.

He said, according to The Athletic, 'Apart from my mum and dad, who else would turn up?'.

Jones joined United as a teenager from Blackburn for £16million in the summer of 2011 after they beat off competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Sir Alex Ferguson had high hopes for Jones and predicted in 2013 that he would go on to become their best ever player.

Sir Bobby Charlton said he reminded him of the late Duncan Edwards, while then-England manager Fabio Capello compared him to Franco Baresi.

Jones has struggled for consistency with his form and been beset by injuries, making only 220 appearances in eight years at the club.

He has barely figured under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and made his first Premier League start of the season at Sheffield United on Sunday.

But he was hauled off by Solskjaer at half-time with United 1-0 down at Bramall Lane. They went on to draw 3-3.