‘Hard to swallow’: Rio Ferdinand reacts to Phil Jones being ‘axed’ from Man Utd dressing room

Manchester United have had a busy transfer window under new boss Erik ten Hag with the Dutchman signing five players on permanent deals, while Martin Dubravka sealed a season-long loan on deadline day.

The Red Devils have also seen 13 names depart Old Trafford this summer, most notably Paul Pogba and Juan Mata.

With the changes made to the squad, Ten Hag has now reportedly ‘axed’ several members of United’s team from the first-team dressing room to allow space for his new signings.

According to the Sun, long-serving centre-back Phil Jones has been demoted to the Under-23 changing room.

The 30-year-old has had an injury-hit last couple of years with the Red Devils, making just 13 appearances in four years.

The paper adds that Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Teden Mengi and Shola Shoretire have also joined Jones in being removed from the senior squad’s changing room.

United legend Rio Ferdinand believes the decision, if true, to axe Jones will be a ‘hard pill to swallow’ for the Red Devils centre-back.

"Listen, I’ve got to be honest, I hope it’s not true," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast when asked about Jones allegedly being axed. "If it is true, that’s Erik ten Hag laying it out and saying: ‘You’re not a part of my plans, moving forward you’re surplus to requirements’.

"But that’s the game man. If you’re not involved and you’re not part of the first-team going forward, why are you going to be taking up someone else’s space? There might be a young player who Ten Hag wants to come in and gain some experience in the dressing room.

"We have to wait and see but Phil Jones, if he’s still there but been demoted to the reserves, that’s a hard pill to swallow. He’s suffered some really horrific injuries so I just hope he stays fit and at some point he’ll be able to go out and play somewhere."

Jones is yet to feature for United this season due injury and is currently on a personalised training programme.

The 30-year-old has been working away from Ten Hag’s main group of players and wasn’t named in the club’s 25-man Europa League squad for Thursday’s fixture against Real Sociedad.

He joined the Red Devils from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 and has made 229 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and assisting his teammates on 11 occasions.