“I know the problem and I tried to warn Erik ten Hag as the new Head coach but he thought he knew everything. They where simply the people, especially one player. I was so tired of him but the fans loved him the most. He was the reason the club didn’t listen to me because I wanted him sold”-BREAKING NEWS: Fans are shocked as Ralf Ragnick exposes the players he wanted to self which the club refused to listen and kicked his a*ss instead.

Phil Jones Reflects on Ralf Rangnick’s Half-Time Substitution at Anfield: “I Was Absolutely Raging”

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has opened up about one of the most difficult moments in his career, describing how he felt “humiliated” by interim manager Ralf Rangnick during United’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in April 2022.

Rangnick, who managed United for 31 games during his short stint at the club, made the controversial decision to substitute Jones at half-time, a decision that left the player seething and caused a stir in the dressing room.

The Incident That Left Jones Fuming

Jones was handed a rare start for the high-stakes match, only his second appearance in a season plagued by injuries. However, with Liverpool leading 2-0 at half-time, Rangnick opted to replace Jones with Jadon Sancho, a decision that shocked the squad.

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Jones recalled the moment vividly:
“At half-time, Ralf came in and said, ‘Right, I’m going to make a change. Phil is going to come off.’ I remember the whole dressing room went (makes a shocked face) as if to say, ‘Why’s he bringing Phil off here?’ I knew what everyone was thinking. I took my boots off, slammed them on the floor, and said, ‘You’re taking the fing p* out of me.’”*

The former England international admitted it was the only time in his career that he lost his composure in the dressing room.
“I’ve never lost my head in a dressing room before, but that was the moment I completely lost it. I was absolutely raging. To be humiliated in front of an Anfield crowd, fierce rivals, and my family and teammates—it was devastating.”

Feeling Like a Scapegoat

Jones, who battled injuries throughout his United career, explained that he felt he was unfairly singled out despite performing well under the circumstances.
“We were 2-0 down at half-time, and nothing was coming off for the team. But I’d actually done alright in the game. I didn’t give the ball away, I was calm under pressure. I wasn’t exceptional, but I definitely didn’t deserve to come off. There were far worse players on the pitch that day. I was the easy scapegoat.”

The End of a Challenging Chapter

Jones went on to make his 229th and final appearance for Manchester United in a 3-0 win over Brentford. However, injuries continued to take their toll, and he missed the entirety of the 2022/23 season. After being released by the club, he announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the campaign.

Reflecting on his United career, Jones expressed frustration over the way it ended but also pride in his resilience. His turbulent journey serves as a reminder of the mental and physical challenges players face in the top tier of football.