Manchester United

Phil Jones desperate to push on at Manchester United

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 21 November 2016

Phil Jones desperate to push on at Man United

Phil Jones targets a run of games in the heart of Manchester United's defence after making his return to action following a 10-month spell on the sidelines.

Phil Jones has insisted that he is ready to play for Manchester United on a regular basis after emerging from the 'most frustrating' spell of his career.

The 24-year-old has spent the best part of 10 months sat on the sidelines for the Red Devils due to a mixture of ankle and knee injuries, restricting him to just three appearances this calendar year.

Jones made a welcome return to action prior to the international break by playing the full 90 minutes against Swansea City, however, before doing the same in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

With two successive games now under his belt, the England international is determined to regain his full fitness and become a regular starter under Jose Mourinho.

"It was great, personally, for me. It's been a difficult period for me. It is good to be back in the fold and playing again," he told the club's official website. "[Being injured] is awful but as a footballer you can't feel sorry for yourself, go into a little hole and never come out of your home. You have got to go about your day as you would normally, work hard in training and I have worked to get back to where I am now.

"I want to stay here and I want to play more games. I have worked hard on my fitness, it has been tough mentally for me and it has been so frustrating. I can't put into words how frustrating it has been, but that is behind me and I want to move forward to play as many games as I can. I wanted to make sure that I was 100 per cent right going into the first game.

"It is games that I need and hopefully I can keep getting them. I am ready to play but I think I have also got to look after myself as well and think right. If I do feel something then I am honest, but I am ready, I am fit and ready to play. I am just focusing on game to game, playing football, doing what I love doing and I will go from there."

Jones's only other appearance for United in 2016 also came against Swansea, as he helped his side on their way to a 2-1 win at the Theatre of Dreams on January 2.