MANCHESTER UNITED outcast Phil Jones is reportedly being lined up for a shock January switch to Benfica.
The Daily Mail claims Jones, 29, could be heading to Portugal on loan next month in a bid to revive his flagging career.
The centre-back hasn’t played a minute of senior football since January 2020 against Tranmere Rovers.
And Benfica are ready to pounce after snapping up ex-Premier League defenders Jan Vertonghen and Nicolas Otamendi last year.
SunSport exclusively revealed in November that Jones was being targeted by no less than thirteen clubs, with United open to doing business.
The ex-Blackburn Rovers man has recovered from his nightmare knee injury.
And after making United’s squad to face West Ham earlier this season, Jones was named on the bench for last month’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
He has also been playing for United’s Under-23s in a bid to boost his fitness.
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And Jones’ patience looks set to be rewarded with a move to Benfica.
The Portuguese giants have not won Primeira Liga since 2019, with Porto and Sporting Lisbon triumphing in the last two years.
Benfica’s fiercest rivals are currently joint-top of the table on 41 points, with both unbeaten in 15 games.
And Jorge Jesus’ side are already four points off the pace despite being the competition’s top scorers.
The tactician hopes to improve his Benfica defence in a bid to challenge for the crown.
And Jones has been identified as the man to tighten things up at the back.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk