Harry: It made me really happy to see Phil back

After a hellish two-year battle with injury, Jones made his long-awaited return to competitive action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 January and was widely described as our best player, after leading the backline and giving absolutely everything for the badge he is so proud to wear. 

Footage that you can watch below captured Phil looking emotional as he walked off the pitch in front of an appreciative Stretford End that day and Maguire knows exactly how much the moment meant to his friend. 

Harry was injured that afternoon but is thankfully also now back in action, following an excellent performance in last weekend’s win over West Ham United. With Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane also vying for selection this season, our captain is relishing the challenge. 

“Of course, when you are playing and you want to be successful, you have got to have competition for places and you have got to have a good squad with depth,” Maguire told Stewart Gardner.

“I think we have all seen Phil coming back from two years’ out and he was outstanding when he played. You know, it made me really happy to see him step back out on the pitch. 

“I am good mates with Phil and I have spent a lot of time with him, when he has been injured in the tough, dark days that he has had.

“When he was back on the pitch, I was obviously in the stand, injured, for that game, but the way he performed, he was the best player for us that day and I am really pleased to see him back out there, because he has worked so hard over these last couple of years. 

“He is now back fit, ready to go and ready to play games.”