Former Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones has confirmed his retirement from football, bringing an end to an injury-plagued career.

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Article continues below

• Jones confirms retirement from football
• Defender has ended an injury-plagued career
• Is determined to become a head coach

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The defender left United last year on a free transfer after 12 years with the club and spent the last 12 months as a free agent coaching the Under-18s. At the age of 32, though, he told on Saturday that his playing days are over.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 27-time England international joined United from Blackburn aged 19 and enjoyed one full season as a regular starter under Sir Alex Ferguson before injuries started to limit his time in the Red Devils first team. In the 2018-19 Premier League campaign, he managed just 18 appearances and then just two the following year. He was absent for the entirety of the 2020-21 season and then played a miniscule role the season after that. His last game in professional football was a 15-minute appearance in a 3-0 win against Brentford in May 2022.

• WHAT JONES SAID

  "The career finished shorter than what I would have liked," he said on . "It was disappointing obviously, but it's easy to look at it glass half-empty, so glass half-full view on it at the minute. I completed my A-licence last season, worked with the 18s a little bit, which was really good, valuable experience. I enjoyed it. Ultimately, I want to get back out there and challenge myself. I fancy myself going into coaching and ultimately taking charge of a team. I know the steps to get there and I'm willing to take that and I'm determined to get there."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Jones came through the Blackburn Rovers youth academy, initially joining as a 10-year-old before he became a first-team star for the club. After just two impressive years in the Premier League, United came calling and snapped him up and he went on to win one top-flight title as well as FA Cup and Europa League crowns.

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