The former defender of Manchester United Phil Jones admits that he is sympathetic to Mason Mount and Luke Shaw, recognizing the difficult period they suffer with persistent injuries.
Jones, whose own career has been seriously hampered by long -term fitness problems, admitted that he once felt “embarrassed” by his own outbursts of Old Trafford injury.
Mount and Shaw were both sidelined since the beginning of December, the first dealing with a problem with the hamstrings and the last alteration of a calf injury.
Since his arrival from Chelsea in a movement of 55 million pounds sterling in 2022, Mount has already missed 51 games for United.
Meanwhile, Shaw, who signed in Southampton for 27 million pounds sterling in 2014, spent more time on the list of injuries than on the ground for United.
Jones, who was forced to retire in 2023 at the age of 31 after fighting injuries throughout his 12 -year career at Old Trafford, said that he understood the mental and emotional assessment that such setbacks may have, in particular in the face of criticism of fans on social networks.
“I’m really sorry for Mason and Luke,” said Jones. “I know exactly what they feel. For me, it was almost an embarrassed feeling because you are in Man United, the biggest club in the world, and all you want is playing football.
🚨🚨🎙️ | Phil Jones leaving the group Whatsapp Manchester United:
“You have been in the WhatsApp (group) for years, joke, sending photos of people and all kinds, you would have a day on the field,” he said, laughing.
“I remember sitting in the room, going like: ‘guys, it’s … pic.twitter.com/zvqf92rhq0
– Centerdevils. (@Cereddevils) March 19, 2025
“I loved playing football. I didn’t do it for any other reason, I loved playing football like a little child, and when you can’t do something, you have something removing from you.
“It’s difficult to manage. You have the fans, you have social media, so I can absolutely sympathize with them [Mount and Shaw]. “”
Despite the growing pressure of the fans to return, Jones stressed that the injured players had to make sure they are ready physically and mentally before making a return.
Shaw, in particular, was exposed to a meticulous examination after being presented for England at Euro 2024 despite injury problems throughout the previous season.
“What I would say is that they have to return to a state where they feel comfortable to play,” added Jones.
“The medical staff these days will always try to promote you to come back earlier, but they must feel good in themselves and feel confident that they are ready to come back and play and contribute to a high level.
“So I absolutely sympathize with them. It’s a really difficult place really, really terrible.”
