Stuart Pearce believes Manchester United are reckless to have handed Phil Jones a new long-term contract at the club.
United confirmed on Friday the 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2023.
Manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer put his support behind the player, saying Jones is ‘entering into his prime years as a centre half’ as he approaches his 27th birthday.
However, some fans have questioned his current role and long-term future in the United team.
The length of the deal – which has the option for a further year – has also surprised many, especially given his injury record. Jones has been a regular presence on the sidelines for United during his eight-year spell at the club, especially over the past few years.
And former England international Stuart Pearce believes the club would have been wiser to hand him a shorter-term deal.
Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, he said: “This season Jones has played 11 of the 25 games in the Premier League. Last season he played 23 games out of 38, and the season before he played 18 of 38.
“These percentages are around half or less than half of Man United’s games.
“For me, what would be fair would be a two-year contract, but no more than that – not with the injury record I’m seeing in front of me.
“To have a player who is very good around the place, been at the club a long time, knows the club and the structure of the club – I get that.
“But a four-year contract, is the bit I don’t understand so much.
“I’m not against Phil, I like Phil; when he’s playing, and playing well, he’s a good player and certainly worthy of wearing the Manchester United shirt, no doubt.
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“But four years? He’s a utility player who plays every now and again.
“He’s not a James Milner – someone who is fit and available for every game, and says ‘put me in and I’ll play my best in any position’, and is always available for you.”