'You saw Jones tonight. Arguably, the way he is looking, he could be our best-ever player.'
Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking amid the jubilation of Manchester United's 13th Premier League title win in 2013.
His own personal legacy long since secure, his wildly successful 27-year mission complete, Ferguson believed he was handing United over in good shape.
He thought Phil Jones would be one of the pillars of a continued dynasty of glory at Old Trafford. It was a time when the strapping and brave England international, then 21, was being compared through misty eyes to Duncan Edwards.
Equally capable of playing at centre-half or right-back, Jones was even trusted by Ferguson to play in midfield to counter Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso in a Champions League tie with Real Madrid.
There seemed no ceiling to his career trajectory but unfortunately football has a habit of kicking you in the knackers.
Jones has suffered repeatedly with injury setbacks. Transfermarkt lists 23 separate issues during his United career, the latest being the serious knee injury he has spent the past 18 months battling back from.
It means a decade at United has seen Jones play 224 times, less than half the games the team has played.
In the 2013-14 campaign, he featured in 39 games but hasn't topped 30 since, amid what must feel like a recurring nightmare of his body breaking down and yet more patient recuperation in the gym.
And in the meantime, United had little choice but to move on without him. The managers post-Fergie - in particular Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho - all had their own interpretations of what made a suitable centre-half.
It saw van Gaal spend £18million on Marcos Rojo and Mourinho sanction the £30m purchase of Eric Bailly and £31m on Victor Lindelof.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time has seen £80m splashed out on Harry Maguire and now £42m on Raphael Varane, unveiled to rapturous acclaim before the 5-1 win over Leeds on Saturday.
Had Jones stayed injury-free, he could easily have been the mainstay of United's defence all the way though that period and United would have saved millions. But it wasn't to be.
Jones is now fit again following knee surgery in June last year and another year of pain-staking recovery after that. He made a 30-minute comeback in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
It was his first match action since a mud-stained outing at Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup fourth round back in January last year.
There has been talk of a move away from United but Jones will be staying for this season and intends to fight for some game time.
He will be fifth-choice centre-back in Solskjaer's squad behind Maguire, Varane, Bailly and Lindelof but United will compete in four competitions as always so there should be an opportunity for game time but barring an injury crisis, it is likely to be limited.
Sportsmail understands Varane didn't ask for Jones's No 4 shirt but it's clear the first-choice partnership for Solskjaer will be the captain Maguire and the French World Cup winner.
Jones, who earns £130,000-a-week, has two more years on his four-year United contract signed as recently as February 2019.
Solskjaer has shown faith in the defender during his lengthy recovery but his injury record would certainly have made him a gamble to any club interested in him.
'I've had similar troubles [with injury] in my career,' Solskjaer said of Jones recently. 'He's such a professional, good lad, and it's great to see him ready to train again and then hopefully get game time soon.
'If he can play in the Under-23s to start with, or we can arrange something behind closed doors for him, because I know exactly the feeling of being out for so long. You just want to feel your way in.
'He's always served the club, but it was time for him to look after himself and his own health.'
So we can expect to see Jones getting back up to speed in the Under-23 side with the hope of a first team return in the autumn.
His last few outings before the Tranmere game weren't great, with Solskjaer at the wheel full-time but struggling to keep United on course.
Jones played in a 3-3 draw at Sheffield United in which they fell two goals behind before mounting a thrilling comeback to lead before Oli McBurnie scored in the last minute.
There was also a Carabao Cup semi-final in which United were schooled by Man City and a 2-0 home defeat to Burnley which represented a nadir in Solskjaer's reign. Significant progress has been made since that low point with United title contenders again.
With his facial gurning as he chases after opponents and the ball, Jones is sometimes a figure of fun for the social media meme generation of football fans.
But it takes an especially strong character to come back from so many injury blows during what should be the pomp of his career.
Jones has always been bullish about his record, saying: 'People can make their own opinions up, people can talk.
'Ultimately I've won the Premier League, been to two World Cups, been to a Euros, played in the Champions League, won the Europa League, the FA Cup.
'They are the stats. That's what I have done.'
Indeed, Jones can be viewed as one of the last remaining links to a time when United did actually win silverware on a regular basis. That experience could prove invaluable in Solskjaer's dressing room at crunch moments this season.
It doesn't look too likely Jones will become a club legend as Ferguson predicted but it is to be hoped he remains free of injury to enjoy a productive second phase to his career.
prosperouz
0
Phil jones is a good defender but he is injury prone, and there is no space for him anymore so he should go
Craze4Football
0
fr and that's why i never disrespected him, i do the occasional trolling but he plays for the badge, that's for sure
🙌🏼
lukzlat910
1
Injuries and trolls (made his face a meme) ruined his career. Otherwise even he isn't one of the top defenders he does play as if he's ready to die for the badge.
fr and that's why i never disrespected him, i do the occasional trolling but he plays for the badge, that's for sure
Tonyoba10
0
I am very happy to see the Face Magician once again being talked about, he's our legend in Manchester United so keep on doing your mumu face to give us something to laugh about. thank you
[image]
lie lie , this Johns is a telephone Magician
Mankin
0
I am very happy to see the Face Magician once again being talked about, he's our legend in Manchester United so keep on doing your mumu face to give us something to laugh about. thank you
[image]
Looks just like Milner 😅
BorborUc
1
Jones when ever transfer windows open
Craze4Football
1
Injuries and trolls (made his face a meme) ruined his career. Otherwise even he isn't one of the top defenders he does play as if he's ready to die for the badge.
Teoadosz
0
OGS, WHY ARE U STILL KEEPING PHIL JONES, WHAT USEFUL IS HE 2 MAN UNITED?
Teoadosz
1
RASHFORD, wishing you a good recovery.
TarirChuol
0
i dont thinks he can play now let him look for himself new club
Fiyademprs
2
we need him, he is one of the passionate players in the pich i have ever watched.
Yadbckrsy
0
This Man is one of the best coach I know I want Ole to Len from him even some games that seems he will loose you see him change tactics everybody expte defender move forward and ball is trol into the box and goal come but in case of ole even if the tactics is not working nothing will change till he looses that March please replace him for us to wine trophies e f sunny
Yadbckrsy
1
he has expired and have no part to play so he should go Thanks
Ahmod22
1
Leave him so he can score more own goals against Chelsea 😹
vostoko
3
Phil jones is still great give him time
vostoko
0
Apart from CR7, is there any player that Sir Alex Ferguson coached that is still playing soccer?
phil jones van percy
Yudbeins
0
don't loan him, let he go for free 🆓🆓🆓,I hate this guy
penalob
2
You know when Jones play he gives everything
Sahcdpru
2
loan him to derby let him go and help rooney.
Tonyoba10
1
I am very happy to see the Face Magician once again being talked about, he's our legend in Manchester United so keep on doing your mumu face to give us something to laugh about. thank you
Themonkhmer10
0
Apart from CR7, is there any player that Sir Alex Ferguson coached that is still playing soccer?
De Gea
Vaelmopuy
0
I believe he will go out on loan to get some match times back. Probably Newcastle n the magpies can have him for free next season.
Matclmpt
0
the best thing to do is loan him to a team in championship league..he needs actual game time but less taxing..
Herera
1
let him leave the club
teeadektuz
1
other teams r selling out dr garbage players just like dat n den dr is Manchester United hu cant evn offload Jones..
Kkrexuke
0
Let's try him in the DM position in league cup games. He used to occasionally play there under SAF.
momemnopty
0
I prefer Jones over Fride Mauire and Lindelol lol lol 🤣🤣
Erickson1009
1
If God gives you Phil, make it Foden not Jones
Damaunaw
0
unfortunately the pillars of adynasty of glory at Old Trafford has collapsed after the Guardian left
Jed
0
Apart from CR7, is there any player that Sir Alex Ferguson coached that is still playing soccer?
Man_utd246
1
Sir Alex had a bit too much champagne ig 😬
kauaklmpsu
2
See u pple don’t av right to judge him nw pls make unah let him bee
Jackstones
1
sold him.for 100£
Kabara20
0
It’s only solkjaer believed jones and james are good enough to play for man United
AndyFiindje
1
I believe Phil Jones has forgotten how to kick the ball. long time - no play for a player who has more Own Goals, it's a joke to say he's fit for football
Hessie_10
0
PJ4 is a warrior but not in this United squad
AlviNashys
0
he can play as our Right back
seeadmpsz
1
Not good enough towere the shirt of Manchester United
Leopreshy
0
Against Man City, big teams in champions League
Unitedforlife6
1
absolute legend.. what a gem
bepcdlosy
0
The other clubs that are laughing at Arsenal today because the have big names in their squad,they should make sure to win the league at the end of the season together,or they will know how their squad is full of prisoners and rappers
danieludoottis
0
Jones is 💯 better than Maguire and his brother (Victor lindelof)
Dongee2021
5
Me trying to understand how Jones wages is more than Bruno fenades wages and he have had a contribution to the club since last year May😂🤪
Yeeimnrtz
1
Another broke man is this man[5percent]
Westlord223
1
He should go back to where he started from. He doesn’t belong to Manchester anymore
Tihabilprt
0
Jones and Baily are my choice at the back. stronger and impenetrable
Tihabilprt
1
Jones is better than Maguire
Bigfamo23
0
Am sorry 2 say........ E his just 1⃣ game away from going 🔙 to d treatment table. 130K € weekly e could ave bin d 1⃣ st player united 2 take out it wage bill. 5⃣ th choice has a center back only long time injuring 2 d choice center back e can dream of playing dis season that e himsef is nt out injured if d opportunities comes.
vacbknprt
0
I dont think so
duybelmnps
0
after one training another surgery