Remember Phil Jones? He's still at Manchester United, but he hasn't played in nearly two years

Phil Jones is in a bit of a limbo. He hasn't featured for Manchester United for 18 months, and it's looking doubtful that he will after Raphael Varane has been signed from Real Madrid. Manager Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer would love to sell Jones in this transfer window and make some space in the squad, but the trouble is – nobody seems keen on the centre-back.

Jones has been out of action for 13 months due to an injury that's kept him out. At the age of 29, his health and chronic lack of consistency render him unwanted for just about every top-level team – even though he was an England international not so long ago.

The former Blackburn Rovers defender still has two years left on his United contract. If United fail to offload him, he could end up earning around $20 million for nothing. The defender signed a new four-year deal mid-way through the 2018/19 season, just a couple of months after Solskjaer was installed as Red Devils boss following Jose Mourinho's sacking.

The 29-year-old earns $5.5million-a-year, but he has not played since a 6-0 FA Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers at the beginning of 2020.

However, Jones was seen travelling with the United squad as part of their pre-season tour to Scotland last week but will face an intense battle to force his way into Solskjaer's plans this season.

Jones first fell out of favour under Solskjaer as Victor Lindelof, and Harry Maguire stamped their authorities as first-choice centre-halves. At the same time, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe are the backup options in that position.

No team is willing to pay a transfer fee for the defender, but it could find a new club if Manchester United agree to let him leave without compensation. There are rumours that David Moyes could be tempted to take Jones to West Ham United.