Ex-Man Utd defender Jones retires and eyes coaching

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has said he is targeting a profession successful guidance aft officially announcing his retirement.

The 32-year-old has not played since leaving nan Old Trafford nine at nan extremity of nan 2022-23 season, pinch his past quality coming 12 months earlier successful a 3-0 triumph complete Brentford.

Jones, who won 27 England caps, joined United from Blackburn successful 2011 but struggled pinch galore injuries passim his career.

"My profession vanished shorter than I would person liked," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"[I'm] solid half full. [I have] completed my A licence and I want to get retired location and situation myself successful coaching.

"Ultimately I want to return complaint of a team. I americium wished to get there."

During his 12 years astatine nan United, Jones won nan 2013 Premier League title successful Sir Alex Ferguson's last run arsenic manager.

He besides won nan FA Cup successful 2016, nan League Cup and Europa League successful 2017 and nan Community Shield successful 2011 and 2013.

Jones, who came done nan younker ranks astatine Blackburn and made his elder debut successful 2009, added: "I did everything I could [to return to playing] but pinch truthful galore rehabs I was coming backmost from, it has an effect connected you and your family."

Speaking successful 2021, erstwhile centre-back Jones said he had "been done hellhole and back" aft struggling pinch injuries, and lockdown pursuing Covid-19.

Last September, he reportedly returned to United, external arsenic a younker squad coach.