Phil Jones denies England U21 snub

Phil Jones in action for Manchester United against Chelsea

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has stated that he is hurt by comments made by former England U21 manager Stuart Pearce, who said that Jones ignored the U21 team this summer. Sky Sports reports.

Pearce was ejected from the U21 managerial post after the team under-performed at the European Championship.

The 51-year-old aimed criticism at Phil Jones and Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlian after the players ignored the U21 side after they made their break into the England national team.

Jones responded to Pearce’s comments saying: “I didn’t expect it and I am disappointed.

“It is simply not true. I have represented the Under-19s, the Under-21s and the seniors. I said from the first day I pulled on an England shirt, it sent shivers down my spine.

“How he can come out and say I didn’t want to play for the Under-21s is beyond me.

“It wasn’t nice to read what he said and I am sure Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is thinking the same thing.”

Jones went on to say that the decision was not his to make after England boss Roy Hodgson decided that players chosen for the post-season matches should not be considered for the U21′s.

“It was totally out of my hands,” said Jones.

“Roy Hodgson came out prior to the Under-21 tournament and said he regarded me as a senior player.

“I went on to play against Ireland and Brazil, so it wasn’t a waste of time going with the seniors.

“If I had been on the bench I could have seen where he (Pearce) was coming from but I got a lot of experience from those two games.

“Don’t forget I had also just come back from a knee injury, for the second time, and I had to manage it in the right way, control it, and make sure I wasn’t overusing it.

“That’s why I am really disappointed in these comments.

“People are entitled to their opinions and I will just get on with my football and ignore it.

“It hasn’t dampened my enthusiasm for England though, definitely not. It is an honour to represent your country at any level.”

The 21-year-old started his youth career with Blackburn Rovers and joined Manchester United in 2011 where he has gone on to become an integral part of the team.