Rio Ferdinand publicly apologizes to former Manchester United teammate Phil Jones

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has apologized on air to Phil Jones, three years after he told him to “find a new club”.

Fernandowho was unaware of the former Blackburn Rovers ace's injury problems, accused the former Blackburn Rovers ace of blocking a youngster's path to United's first team in August 2021.

“I think he (Jones) should have left a long time ago.” Ferdinand said on Vibe with FIVE.

“He should have left before Chris Smalling left. Find a new club and play some football.”

Fernando was also 'baffled' why jones He received a new four-year contract in 2019 given his limited appearances in the lead-up to the contract.

However, the 45-year-old invited Jones to the latest episode of 'Rio Fernando presents' where he expressed remorse for comments he made in 2021.

Ferdinand also revealed that he was his former teammate and then United manager. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who reached out to inform him that Jones had been “injured for a long time” and was not absent due to performance-related issues.

“I have to say that first I apologize first of all, I apologized publicly, but this time I will say it to your face, for criticizing you,” Ferdinand said.

“I criticized him for… not playing for a long period of time and I thought: 'he's got to go out and play'. I met this guy when he was 18 and he came to Man United. He wants to play football, why what is sitting there?

“Is that the Manchester United badge he wants on his chest? Is he staying for his own ego? Just go and play a bit of football (and) get out of the way, let another kid pass because you're smothering someone else's.” “. growth perhaps.”

Ferdinand concluded: “I was not aware of the situation. I just wanted to say sorry. It was never personal.”

Jones wore a smile and responded: “Apologies accepted.”

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The 32-year-old later admitted that Ferdinand's brutal hit against him in 2023 came when he was feeling particularly low amid his injury problems.

“I felt vulnerable because I hadn't played in a long time and I was thinking, 'Will I ever play again?' and I had all these images and thoughts that it could be the end,” Jones said.

Jones' last appearance in a United shirt was against Brentford on May 2 two years ago, when he enjoyed a 15-minute cameo from the bench.

he was released by the red devils in July 2023 and He retired in March of this year.