Phil Jones made his first Manchester United appearance in two years in tonight’s Premier League meeting with Wolves.

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.

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.

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."

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.

Speaking in September 2021, Jones said: “I think as a footballer, as a person, as a human being, that's the lowest I probably ever felt in my life.”