Wayne Rooney is wasting no time strengthening his DC United side. The Daily Star has reported that Phil Jones’ Manchester United career may finally be drawing to a close – with a potential move to Wayne Rooney’s DC United on the cards.
"The pair have been good friends since their days together at United and Rooney is optimistic he can pull off the transfer. For that to happen, however, it will require both Jones and United to compromise their current positions.The ex-England international is on £120,000-a-week, which is way beyond DC’s pay structure, meaning the Reds will need to subsidise the majority of those wages in a loan deal."
Phil Jones’ minutes at Manchester United were extremely limited
Jones made just four appearances for United last season in the Premier League. At the age of 30 and with his injury record, he may not have much football left in him.
Manchester United do not need him as they already have Harry Maguire, Raphaël Varane, and Victor Lindelöf. They have also announced that they and Ajax have reached an agreement for the defender, Lisandro Martinez.
DC United, on the other end of the deal, are in trouble as they lost to Minnesota 2-0 last weekend. They are now bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference with a goal difference of -16. A player like Jones could help sure up their defence and his experience will no doubt be an asset to the side.
He has only played in England, having made 40 appearances for Blackburn Rovers before heading to Manchester where he made 228 appearances for the Red Devils. The experience of playing in the MLS would be great for him and a good way to see out the final years of his career instead of finishing it sitting in the stands at Old Trafford.
The defender has 27 caps for England but last played in the 2018 World Cup third-place play-off defeat to Belgium. It is highly unlikely he will make it back into Gareth Southgate’s squad with the national team having the likes of Maguire, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Conor Coady, and Marc Guéhi in their ranks.
🚨DC United are monitoring the condition of Manchester United's 30-year-old defender Phil Jones.🇬🇧 #VamosUnited ⚫🔴 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/hHqHoA1AAy
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) July 17, 2022
The stumbling block for the Manchester United defender to get a way seems to be his wages with the Daily Star adding that the player:
"Has already made it clear to United hierarchy that he will happily see out the final 12 months of his contract rather than accept a cut in salary just to get away. (Via: dailystar.co.uk)"
He must put football ahead of money at this stage in his career. He has already earned a very healthy amount and may go on to be a coach or work in the media.
This chance to go and play in the USA is likely to be his last to play competitive football regularly, so it would be an opportunity missed if he does not take it.
His long-term friend Rooney is in need of help with his side struggling in the MLS. There is no relegation in the competition as it is a franchise league, so they do not need to worry about that. However, Jones could be the man to help push them up the table.