Phil Jones chosen to play for Manchester United for the first time in 708 days in Wolves clash

Phil Jones will make his first Manchester United start for 708 days after he was named in his side's starting line-up for their Premier League clash with Wolves on Monday night.

The England international last started a match in United's 6-1 FA Cup win over Tranmere Rovers in January 2020 but was sidelined with a long-term knee injury that has ruled him out for nearly two years.

Jones has battled to overcome a knee injury, a time he has described as 'the lowest of his life' - but has since played in behind closed doors games as he looks to improve his fitness.

Sportsmail revealed last month that Jones has recently attracted interest from Portuguese side Benfica over a potential January loan deal, but now he could be put into the United starting XI for the visit of Wolves.

The 29-year-old comes into the team in place of captain Harry Maguire, who picked up an injury in the 3-1 victory over Burnley on Thursday night.

Also in Maguire's absence, Cristiano Ronaldo will captain United for only the second time in his career, with the first coming in a victory over Bolton in March 2008.

Rangnick has only made two changes from the side that beat Burnley 3-1 thanks to three first-half goals, with the other switch - aside from Jones - is the return of Raphael Varane to the starting line-up in place of Eric Bailly.

Bailly limped off in the second-half of United's win over the Clarets and has not made the matchday squad for the visit of Wolves.

There is still only a place on the bench for Bruno Fernandes, with Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani partnering Ronaldo in a four-pronged United attack.

Nemanja Matic, meanwhile, keeps his place alongside Scott McTominay in midfield and ahead of Fred and Donny van de Beek in the pecking order.

The team news also means Swedish defender Victor Lindelof has yet recovered from the breathing problems that forced him to come off a 1-0 victory over Norwich on December 11.

A subsequent Covid-19 outbreak at Old Trafford saw United have an enforced 16-day break and Rangnick confirmed the defender had tested positive for the virus.

The Red Devils take on Wolves hoping to close the gap to fourth-placed Arsenal to just a single point with a win, thereby extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking.

Manchester United starting XI against Wolves (4-2-2-2): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Jones, Shaw; McTominay, Matic; Sancho, Greenwood; Ronaldo (c), Cavani