Phil Jones to decide today whether or not to join Bordeaux

Manchester United defender Phil Jones's loan move to Bordeaux is in the balance. 

The 29-year-old will make a decision today whether to join the French side. He is eager to play more regular football after making just one appearance this season, in the 1-0 home defeat to Wolves at the start of this month. Meanwhile, Stoke are signing Bordeaux forward Josh Maja on loan.   

After excluding for Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny from their first team squad, Bordeaux signed 34-year-old Brazilian defender Marcelo from Lyon on Friday, but want to add another versatile defender. 

Jones has played at centre-back, full-back and defensive midfield with United and previously Blackburn.

Though he has had to contend with injuries and other niggling fitness issues, Jones has been let down at times when fit to play. 

His time on the periphery has proved a real mental challenge for the former England international and he wants to prove he still has life left in his career. 

A number of English clubs have considered him but have been reluctant to offer anything other than a loan or pay as you play deal.  Benfica also considered an approach before January. 

Jones opened up on his injury pain in an emotional interview last year.

'It was the lowest I've ever been as a human being,' Jones told The Sunday Times on recovering from knee surgery in 2020.

'I used to come back (from training) and be in bits. My head was an absolute mess. I'd be in tears. People and footballers, they'll put on a front that everything's all right, but you don't know what's going on behind closed doors.'

Jones also spoke of his anger at being described as a 'waste of time' by former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand and how he almost lashed out at a man who taunted him