Jones explains his respect for Licha's recovery

The fan favourite has been out of action since 2 February, after sustaining a serious knee injury during our Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Our popular Argentina international underwent surgery as a result and has been working diligently on his rehabilitation ever since, under the supervision of the club's medical staff.  

Last week, United fans around the world were delighted to see our exclusive images of Licha’s return to full training and Ruben Amorim hopes to utilise his abilities in the coming months.

The road to recovery is always long and a great deal of patience is required, a process that Jones understands all too well after his playing career was ultimately ended by injury. 

Speaking candidly on our new podcast, Inside Carrington, Phil offers his unique perspective on Martinez’s return and explains why a slow and steady approach is the key. 

“It can be a dark place at times and especially when you are out for that long a period of time,” explains Jones. “I went through it myself and it is difficult to see the players going out to training every day when you're in the gym and you're just starting your rehabilitation programme. 

“It is very, very difficult to deal with and you have to have the right support network around you. But he looks to have an incredible physique with the pictures we're seeing at the minute and I'm sure he's ready, I'm sure he's worked so hard to get back. 

“An ACL is always a difficult one to come back from. So you have to be really, really focused and honed in on how you manage those injuries. He has done incredibly well to get back and he just needs to bide his time a little bit longer and I'm sure the manager will manage that.”

Of course, whenever Martinez is ready to play, he must earn his way back into the line-up and that won’t be easy with Luke Shaw performing so well as the left-sided centre-back.

“I've got to say I think, in the last five games I've watched, Luke has really come into his own in that position,” says Jones. “He looks so assured, comfortable, and I always think Luke's at his best when he sort of cruises through the game. 

“Against Forest at the weekend, I thought he defended terrifically. When the ball was in the box he was tight, he made the blocks when he had to, and I always think he reads the game well. 

“But when the ball gets transferred from one side to the other he steps in so well and he is almost playing left-back at left-centre-back. The way he drives forward and commits players, he is really coming into his own and finding that position really well.”

Phil Jones was speaking to our new podcast, Inside Carrington, presented by United Store.