Phil Jones starts first Manchester United match in 708 days

New coach Ralf Rangnick has entrusted Jones, who has made 165 appearances for the Red Devils, as he looks to shake up the side in his interim spell.

Jones has endured an injury-hit two years since last featuring for United in the FA Cup win over Tranmere Rovers, with his previous Premier League outing coming on January 22 2020 against Burnley.

Since then, the UK has entered three separate Covid-19 lockdowns and Liverpool have ended a 30-year wait for a league title.

Phil Jones has stayed at Manchester United

Unlike many of those around him who have failed to get a look in, Jones has stayed in Manchester throughout, having never left on loan during his now over a decade spell at the club.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a host of moves away from Old Trafford in that time but has remained with United in his quest to return to first-team action.

And it has been all-changed at United as well with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked and replaced by Ralf Rangnick.

Centre-backs injuries allowed him the starting lineup spot

Rovers Academy graduate Jones has featured for United’s Under-23s side in the meantime, with injuries to Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Eric Bailly handing him his chance against Wolves.

He was selected to partner Raphael Varane, with boss Ralph Rangnick full of praise for Jones’ application during a tough road back to fitness.

He said: “I can only judge Phil Jones from the last four weeks, from what I’ve seen so far he was extremely professional all the time, even when he was not in the squad, since last night our two other centre backs are out, he was the logical choice."

Phil Jones arrived at Old Trafford as an emerging player

Jones came through the ranks at Rovers and made an immediate impression. He left in the summer of 2011 for a fee in the region of £17.5m, with 41 appearances to his name. Jones was tipped for greatness by Sir Alex Ferguson and became a regular in the side and winning his first England cap in October 2011.

However, his 29 league appearances in his first season at Old Trafford remain the most he has made in a single campaign with injuries impacting his time with United.

In all, he has made 224 appearances during his 10-year stay, with 27 England caps to his name.

Jones recently opened up on his injury struggles in an interview with the Times, admitting: "My head was an absolute mess.

"I'd be in tears. I'd say to Kaya [his wife], 'I don't know what to do,' I remember us both crying."