Phil Jones latest as defender ‘likely’ to stay at Manchester United after January deadline day

Manchester United defender Phil Jones is set to remain at the club after the 11pm January deadline, according to reports.

The 29-year-old has made one appearance for the Red Devils this season in a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 January.

According to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, the centre-back is now ‘likely’ to remain at Old Trafford past deadline day, after talks between Jones and Bordeaux have ‘stalled’.

The former England international has been plagued with injuries since his arrival at United from Blackburn Rovers in 2011, but was one of the best performers for the Red Devils against Wolves.

To add to this, the Daily Mail claims the reason for Jones rejecting a move to Bordeaux is due to him having ‘second thoughts’ about playing in the French top flight.

However, they add he is still ‘keen’ to leave Old Trafford in order to gain regular first-team football.

United captain Harry Maguire has recently spoken about Jones’ return to the squad after returning to contention.

He said, via the club’s official website: “Of course, when you are playing and you want to be successful, you have got to have competition for places and you have got to have a good squad with depth.

“I think we have all seen Phil coming back from two years’ out and he was outstanding when he played. You know, it made me really happy to see him step back out on the pitch.

“I am good mates with Phil and I have spent a lot of time with him, when he has been injured in the tough, dark days that he has had.

“When he was back on the pitch, I was obviously in the stand, injured, for that game, but the way he performed, he was the best player for us that day and I am really pleased to see him back out there, because he has worked so hard over these last couple of years. He is now back fit, ready to go and ready to play games.”

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick currently has five senior centre-backs to choose from, with Raphael Varane, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof joining Maguire and Jones in competition for places.