Phil Jones reveals the Man United team-mate who ‘was always late’ for training and meetings – as former Red Devils star claims he ‘didn’t think it bothered him too much’

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has provided an insight into the Old Trafford dressing room during his time at the club and revealed which star struggled with his timekeeping.

Jones, 32, played 229 times for the Red Devils over 12 years but retired earlier in 2024 after badly struggling with injuries during his final few years in the game.

The former centre back, who also earned 27 caps for England, won five trophies with United and played alongside several notable players, including the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, towards the end of his time at United they struggled, with the club having now not won the Premier League in more than 11 years.

And Jones, who has been dipping his toes into punditry and coaching since he stopped playing, opened up on some of the problems United faced and revealed one team-mate would regularly turn up late to training and meetings. 

‘How long have we got?,’ he told SPORTbible. ‘Anthony Martial… always late. Yeah, always late – training, meetings, bus.’

Former Red Devils defender Jones played 229 times for the club during 12 years at Old Trafford

The 32-year-old claimed Martial didn’t seem to be that bothered about his timekeeping struggles

‘Yeah, yeah, yeah (he must have been racking up huge fines). I don’t think it bothered him too much!’

Martial left United in the summer following nine years at the club, with the Frenchman scoring 90 goals in 317 appearances.

However, after a promising start – where he was tipped to go right to the top – Martial struggled for form and fitness and was regularly at the forefront of fan criticism.

He moved to Greek side AEK Athens in the summer and the 28-year-old has scored three times in seven games for his new club.

And when questioned on whether Martial was the most-fined player at United, Jones added: ‘He’ll be up there, he’ll be up there.’

Martial originally joined United in September 2015 for a fee that had the potential to rise to £57.6million.

He won the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League while at Old Trafford but his final season summed up his last few years with the Red Devils.

Martial’s last game for the club was a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth in December 2023 before the forward underwent groin surgery in January and failed to make an appearance thereafter.

Jones (left) was a team-mate of the 28-year-old Frenchman (right) across eight years 

Martial left the club at the end of last season and now plays for Greek side AEK Athens

Nevertheless, when announcing his departure in May, the 28-year-old – who has also won 30 caps for France – reflected positively on his time at United.

‘It’s with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye,’ he posted on social media.

‘After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career.

‘Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honour of wearing this shirt and playing in front of you, the best supporters in the world. Manchester United will always be in my heart.’