Ex-Man Utd star has theory why Phil Jones refused to quit Man Utd despite fact he should have ‘left a long time ago’
A FORMER Manchester United star reckons he knows why Phil Jones stayed at the club for so long.
Jones, 31, left United last month when his contract expired following 12 years at the club and has since been a free agent.
Despite enjoying his start to life at United after his 2011 switch from Blackburn under Sir Alex Ferguson, including a Premier League winner's medal, Jones eventually suffered several injury setbacks.
He played just 13 times in his final four years and after announcing he was departing Old Trafford in May he was awarded with a framed memento.
Former team-mate and current United technical director Darren Fletcher presented him with one of his shirts from the Red Devils' most recent Premier League triumph in 2013.
It was framed neatly with some pictures of his career highlights, which also include an FA Cup, Europa League title and two Community Shield honours.
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It was also revealed that Jones turned down the chance to play a testimonial after more than a decade of loyal service.
And former Red Devil Dimitar Berbatov reckons he knows why Jones has refused to quit United before this summer despite being frozen out for long periods.
The Bulgarian scored 56 goals in four seasons at the club, winning two Premier League titles.
And Berbatov believes that once you get a taste of life in the famous red shirt, you become extremely reluctant to let it go.
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He told : “I believe Phil should have left a long time ago because it was obvious that he wasn’t in the plans of a couple of Manchester United’s recent managers.
“He was obviously not going to play, his time was up and he needed to leave sooner, but it is what it is. I wish him the best of luck in the future.
“Has he been unfairly criticised? We’ve all been there and sometimes you get criticism you deserve and sometimes you don’t. That’s football.
“In Phil’s case, I can understand it because when you go to Manchester United, you don’t want to leave.
“Trust me. I can understand why he’s stayed at the club for so many years.”
Greek outfit Aris have recently been linked with a free transfer swoop for the ex-England international.
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