Phil Jones Backs Red Revival: Manchester United Can Still Make Champions League, Says Club Legend

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Despite a turbulent season and lingering outside the Premier League’s top ten, Manchester United legend Phil Jones remains confident that the club can still rescue its campaign — and even return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

The former England international shared his optimistic assessment while attending the finals of the third edition of Apollo Tyres’ Road to Old Trafford tournament in Chennai on Sunday.

Jones, a stalwart of Manchester United during his 12-year stint at Old Trafford, didn’t shy away from the reality of the club’s ongoing struggles but believes that under new manager Ruben Amorim, success is still very much within reach.

“We have to show time and patience. There is still the Europa League, still a chance to qualify for the Champions League and hopefully, we achieve it,” Jones said during the fan-interactive event. “So, I believe there is still a chance for success this season and even best of Manchester United next season.”

Backing Amorim to Build a New Era

The former defender also had words of support for Ruben Amorim, who took the reins in a season that’s been nothing short of a rollercoaster. With United languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table, the pressure is mounting — but Jones insists the club must allow Amorim the time and space to shape his project.

“Ruben has been brought in for the right reason which is to improve Manchester United. I love how honest and open he is, he interacts with the fans regularly as well,” Jones noted. “You as a fan sitting at home, you can understand where he's coming from, he tells truths, I really like that side about him and it's going to be difficult for him, difficult for any manager taking over at the minute.”

Change Takes Time

Phil Jones, who has lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League in his career with United, was clear that Amorim's new style and tactical philosophy will require patience — both from fans and players.

“He wants to play a different style, a different brand of football, a different style of formation than what we're used to,” he explained. “So, we need to be prepared to go through a bit of suffering before we go to the next level.”

“We have to be patient and in football, as fans myself, we're not that patient. But we have to show time, we have to show patience and believe in what he's building and the brand that he's building.”

Jones’ words serve as a rallying cry to the United faithful, urging them to trust in the long-term vision rather than seek instant results, especially during what many hope is a transitional phase that will pay dividends in the coming seasons.

A Career Etched in Red

Jones’ career at Manchester United saw him feature in 219 matches, turning out for the club in the Premier League, Champions League, and across domestic cups. A key component of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last title-winning team in 2012-13, Jones also represented England at two FIFA World Cups, underlining his top-level pedigree.

His connection with the club remains strong, as evidenced by his participation in the Road to Old Trafford event. Not just a guest, Jones mingled with players and teams during the finals of the grassroots five-a-side tournament held in Chennai — a competition also supported by Manchester United.

Grassroots Glory on the Road to Old Trafford

The finals in Chennai marked the culmination of the Indian leg of Apollo Tyres’ Road to Old Trafford tournament, following initial qualifiers in Pune and New Delhi. The winners now stand just one step away from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a fully paid trip to the United Kingdom and the chance to play at the iconic Old Trafford stadium — the Theatre of Dreams itself.

The Global Grand Finale of the tournament will be held at Old Trafford on 6 June 2025, giving amateur players the chance to experience the magic of the same pitch graced by legends of the game.

In his closing remarks, Jones praised the initiative, noting how events like this not only deepen fan engagement but also nurture a passion for the sport across borders.

As United look ahead to a demanding final stretch of the season — balancing domestic recovery with European ambitions — the message from a club veteran like Phil Jones is clear: don’t lose faith. With Amorim at the helm and the right foundations being laid, there’s still hope for a return to Europe’s grandest stage. And as Jones himself once battled adversity to shine at Old Trafford, he believes this current United squad can do the same.

“There is still a chance for success this season,” Jones affirmed. “And even best of Manchester United next season.”