Phil Jones wants Man Utd stay

Phil Jones does not want to leave Manchester United, despite interest from rival clubs, according to reports.

The Guardian is reporting that, despite interest from Stoke City and Arsenal, Manchester United defender Phil Jones wants to stay with the Red Devils this season.

There has been plenty of speculation over Jones’s future of late, with Stoke thought to be interested in signing the England defender. And Arsenal have apparently thrown their hat in the ring as they search for defensive reinforcements.

But Jones, who rejected Arsenal before joining United in 2011, wants to stay at Old Trafford beyond the current transfer window, and Red Devils boss José Mourinho is keen to hold on to the 24-year-old.

Jones was signed from Blackburn Rovers as a teenager in 2011 for £16.5 million. At the time, he was considered one of the most promising young players in English football, and Sir Alex Ferguson even likened him to United legend and Busby Babe Duncan Edwards.

But in his five years with the club Jones has failed to progress in the way anticipated, thanks largely to a string of injuries disrupting his development.

Jones has also been unable to hold down a regular position within the United eleven, as he has been switched between centre-back, right-back and midfield roles.

And although he now sits behind Eric Baily, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling in the pecking order, Jones is keen to stay at United and fight for his place.