Report: United, Phil Jones negotiating new deal

Manchester United is in negotiations with defender Phil Jones over a new contract, according to Peter O'Rourke of ESPN FC, citing sources close to the player.

Jones and the club are reportedly confident a deal is possible, but talks are still at an early stage. The 25-year-old is contracted to the Red Devils until 2019, and while the club has an additional year option, O'Rourke reports Jones will instead be rewarded with a new long-term contract for his good work.

Since shaking his fitness problems - the list too long to recount - Jones has figured his way back into both the United starting XI and the England squad, becoming a key figure in Jose Mourinho's backline and appearing in all eight of the team's Premier League fixtures this season.

In that time, Jones' defensive line has conceded just two goals in league play, with him and goalkeeper David De Gea earning plenty of credit for the start.

Jones has also become a vocal leader in the United dressing room, and called for continued work as Manchester United battles rival Manchester City for the domestic title. He also defended his manager's tactics in a recent 0-0 draw with Liverpool, which saw Mourinho criticised for playing too conservatively.

"Hard work and being solid is the nature of any team," Jones offered, according to Andy Hunter from the Guardian. "Whether you play Liverpool or Burnley away you don't want to get beat and, if you can't win the game, you make sure you don't lose the game. That is the mentality we have definitely got in the dressing room but ultimately we want to win every single game we play."