Phil Jones at Carrington again as Manchester United's Under-18s beat Newcastle

Former Manchester United centre-back Phil Jones was spotted among the coaching staff again at Carrington on Saturday as the club's Under-18s beat Newcastle United 5-1.

The Manchester Evening News confirmed earlier this month that the 31-year-old, who left United at the end of last term, had been observing academy training sessions, though there were no current plans for him to join the club as a coach. He has watched several academy fixtures since his departure, including the Under-18s' win over Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

He was in the dugout once again on Saturday against Newcastle, being pictured sitting among the academy coaching staff, meaning he is gaining matchday experience. Though he has not officially announced his retirement from playing, Jones is undergoing a football directorship course while he completes his UEFA coaching A Licence

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Posting on his Instagram page earlier this week, Jones said: "Start of a new journey. Great to begin the global football sport directorship course with the PFA business school, learning new things about the game, whilst also continuing to push ahead with my A licence and badges at the club that gave me so much.

"Excited to get started."

As reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this month, it is understood that former players 'regularly engage' with the academy, while his presence at Carrington has also been considered useful for the academy players.

As for the Under-18s' victory over Newcastle itself, the points were secured thanks to goals from Ruben Curley (2), Shea Lacey (2) and Ethan Wheatley, who dispatched a penalty. They have now won each of their