Phil Jones has opened up about Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag, sharing that the Dutch manager might have been feeling a bit “irritated” during his last few months at Old Trafford.
After months of speculation, Ten Hag’s tenure ended as United slid to 14th in the Premier League standings. Things took a tough turn last week with a chaotic 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, followed by a heart-wrenching last-minute loss to West Ham.
United has been moving quickly to line up Ten Hag’s replacement, reportedly nearing a deal with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim. Sporting confirmed that United intends to pay the €10 million (£8.5 million) release clause to bring Amorim on board. The former United defender, Phil Jones, who had little playing time under Ten Hag, recently shared his perspective on the manager’s departure and reflected on his experience with him.
In an interview with BBC’s Planet Premier League, Jones admitted he knew his playing time was ending under Ten Hag. “I went out on the grass, and I knew that was my last training session,” he recalled. Despite that, he noted that Ten Hag was very confident in his own decisions, especially after his success at Ajax. “I think he backed himself and didn’t worry too much about outside opinions,” Jones added.
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However, Jones hinted that toward the end, Ten Hag might have grown frustrated with the constant questioning of his choices. “I think the criticism might have gotten to him, especially with his repeated reminders about winning the two trophies,” Jones suggested. He seemed to acknowledge the pressure that comes with managing a club like United, especially during challenging times.
Reflecting on United’s struggles, Jones remarked that the club’s issues predate Ten Hag’s arrival, stemming back to Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. “In Sir Alex’s days, it was all about scoring more than the opponent, no matter what,” Jones explained. Since then, Jones believes that the club has lost some of that attacking identity, which made United stand out.
According to Jones, many long-time staff members who were vital to the club’s culture have left, and he sees this as part of the club’s drift from its roots. “Those people knew the club inside out,” he shared. To him, returning to basics may be the key to getting United back on track.
Jones believes that instead of focusing purely on flashy, attacking football, United might need to become “solid, compact, and hard to beat” again. It’s a bit of a reset, he admitted, but one that could help the club build a strong foundation. He acknowledged that any incoming manager will have a tough task ahead.
Jones as a coach
Having retired from professional football earlier this year, Jones now supports United’s under-14 and under-18 teams, working alongside lead coach Adam Lawrence. His journey with United was filled with ups and downs, yet he leaves behind a legacy of dedication, appearing 229 times for the club over 12 years, despite numerous injuries.
Jones was part of the squad that lifted the Premier League trophy in the 2012-13 season under Sir Alex Ferguson, and he later added a Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup to his name. Reflecting on the club’s history, Jones remains optimistic but knows that the path forward will require some rebuilding.
Meanwhile, the deal for Ruben Amorim’s arrival as United’s new manager is inching closer. Sporting Lisbon officials confirmed that there’s no official agreement just yet, but reports suggest United has agreed to pay £9.2 million in compensation. Amorim is expected to take charge after the November international break.
Amorim deal
Sir Dave Brailsford from Ineos gave fans a boost on Wednesday night by hinting that the deal for Amorim was nearly finalized. After United’s impressive 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester, he told fans outside Old Trafford, “yeah, it’s done,” adding fuel to the excitement surrounding Amorim’s possible arrival.
In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped in as interim manager for United’s Carabao Cup match against Leicester. The Red Devils put on a show, with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes each scoring twice, and young star Alejandro Garnacho also getting on the scoreboard.
United’s victory has sent them through to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals, where they’ll face Tottenham, who recently edged out Manchester City with a 2-1 win. The win brought much-needed joy to fans, who are hopeful for a fresh chapter under the new leadership.
Jones’s reflections, coupled with a strong team performance, have shown that while Ten Hag’s departure was difficult, there’s a renewed sense of optimism in the United camp. Fans are eager to see if Amorim’s arrival will help the team get back to its winning ways and reclaim its identity as one of the Premier League’s top clubs.
