Jose Mourinho tells Phil Jones he has a future at Manchester United and wants defender to become club’s own version of John Terry

JOSE MOURINHO wants Phil Jones to become Manchester United’s John Terry after reportedly telling the defender he has a future at Old Trafford.

Jones’ United career was believed to be in the balance following the £30million capture of Villarreal ace Eric Bailly.

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Injuries saw Jones make just 10 Premier League appearances under Louis van Gaal last season as Daley Blind was used as a makeshift centre-back alongside Chris Smalling.

The 24-year-old failed to make England’s Euro 2016 squad as a result and was reportedly worried that he was facing the axe under Mourinho.

SunSport reported the Portuguese tactician had summoned Jones in for crunch talks earlier this week despite the player once being likened to a ‘Rolls-Royce’ by former Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean.

Mourinho is keen to oversee a huge squad rebuild at the Theatre of Dreams after being handed a £200million transfer kitty by club chiefs and a number of heads are on the chopping block.

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But claims that Jones will not be one of those hounded out of United this summer after Mourinho assured the defender he will get a chance to prove himself again.

Mourinho apparently believes Jones can replicate Chelsea skipper Terry’s career at Stamford Bridge, with his ability to play at right-back and midfield also making him a vital squad player.

And Jones could find himself lining up alongside reported United target Cesar Azpilicueta next season.

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The Chelsea full-back is believed to be a target for Mourinho, and incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte is apparently open to selling him for just £11.8m.

Azpilicueta isn’t the only former player Mourinho has in his sights, with a move for Nemanja Matic in the works.

Willian is also a £60m target and could be joined in midfield by Borussia Dortmund ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan.