Phil Jones signs United contract extension

Joy of joys! Phil Jones has signed a new contract at Manchester United! The 26-year-old centre-half is now set to stay at Old Trafford until at least 2023, with the deal containing an option for an extra year. The news comes amid reports that Ander Herrera and Ashley Young are about to put pen to paper on new deals, though there is no news on Juan Mata, whose current contract expires in the summer.

Having joined United from boyhood club Blackburn Rovers eight years ago, Jones is now, bizarrely, one of United’s longest-serving players. In spite of his reputation for clumsy errors, he’s proven himself to be largely serviceable at this level, and he’s sure to be a useful rotation option over the next four years — though hopefully nothing more than that. Quoted on the United website, Ole Gunnar Solskjær said:

“Phil knows what it takes to be a Manchester United player. He has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League and is now one of the senior players within the team. He is coming up to his 27th birthday and entering into his prime years as a centre-half. We are delighted Phil has committed his future to the club.”

Platitudes abound.