Phil Jones has signed a new four year deal to stay at Manchester United until at least June 2019 with an option to extend the deal for a further year.
Jones, 23, signed for the club from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 and has made 128 appearance, winning the Premier League title in 2013.
Speaking to the official Manchester United website, both Jones and his manager Louis Van Gaal expressed their delight that a new deal had been agreed:
Jones said:
“I am delighted to have signed a new deal. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far and am looking forward to continuing my development as a player.
“This a great club to be part of and I cannot wait to start the new campaign. I would like to thank the manager, coaching staff and fans for their continued support.”
Van Gaal said:
“We are delighted that Phil has signed a new contract. He is a talented footballer with great versatility and can play in a number of positions.
“Phil is a relatively young defender who is developing all the time. He missed some of last season due to injury; however, I was impressed by his professionalism and attitude during those periods.”
Jones has been a versatile player with a wholehearted if occasionally unorthodox approach to defending and has been deployed across the back four and even in midfield for the Reds although injury problems have limited his impact for United over the years.
Jones joined his defensive colleague Chris Smalling in signing a new long term contract with the club who are actively looking to strengthen in defensive positions this summer.
Reports suggest that United have also made a bid in the region of £28.6m for unsettled Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos after news emerged that the experienced defender hadn’t been offered an extension to his existing contract.
Ramos, 29, has two years remaining on his contract with the Spanish giants but could be set to join the Old Trafford club, especially if Real attempt to prise United’s Spanish International goalkeeper David De Gea back to the capital.
United have also been linked with Southampton midfield enforcer Morgan Schneiderlin, 25, as Louis Van Gaal looks to strengthen the squad in preparation for a return to Champions League football in the forthcoming season.