Phil Jones sends demand to Ralf Rangnick after making quick impression

Phil Jones has told Manchester United bosses that he wants to play for the Under-23s as he looks to impress new boss Ralf Rangnick.

Jones has gone through injury hell in recent years and was named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time in 650 days for the draw at Chelsea.

Speaking earlier this year, Jones spoke in open terms about his "injury hell", while suggesting there were now reasons to be positive at last.

"I've been through hell and back over the last couple of years," he told the club website.

"I struggled with my knee a little bit and [there] came a point after lockdown where I thought enough was enough.

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"I kept myself in great shape over lockdown and came back. But I remember just training out here [at Carrington] and going into the doc and saying 'enough's enough'.

"Thankfully, I see the light at the end of the tunnel now and I've been back training, played a few behind-closed-doors games and I'm feeling really good at the minute."

The former England international has also been an unused substitute in the wins over Crystal Palace and Watford under Rangnick.

According to the Athletic, the German tactician has noted Jones's dedicated application in training and would have selected him for the Champions League clash with Villarreal, had he been registered.

But with his game time likely to remain limited, the 29-year-old is willing to go all out to ensure his match fitness is as high as possible.

United are heading into a festive fixture pile-up and Rangnick has hinted that every member of his squad will be handed an opportunity at some point.

The report adds that Jones has taken it upon himself to be available for the Under-23s clash with Chelsea on Friday, the final game before their winter break.

Jones has previously turned out for Neil Wood's side and hopes to do the same this week in case he is called upon, or if he seals a January move.

Rangnick has already told Old Trafford bosses that his squad is too large, hinting that a number of departures could be in the offing when the window opens next month.

"If I look at the number of players we have, it's still a big squad, we definitely do not have not enough players," he explained last week.

"We need to make sure that players want to stay here. if they see they are not getting enough game time here, it might make sense to speak individually with the players to see if a loan deal might make sense, but right now, it's still too early to speak about that."

Jones has been heavily linked with a move away, amid claims as many as 13 Championship clubs are interested in acquiring him.