In the middle of the 2011-12 season, Manchester United faced Villa.

In the middle of the 2011-12 season, Manchester United played against Villa.

The 19-year-old Phil Jones glanced at Carrick beside him and hurriedly lowered his head to adjust his socks. This was the second consecutive game that he was promoted to the defensive midfielder.

In the 20th minute, Jones scored his first goal in his career with a shovel shot from behind. He and his teammates who were rushing over celebrated wantonly. Suddenly, Jones broke away from the crowd around him and pointed his finger at the coaching bench with a youthful look on his face.

Ferguson smiled and waved. At the age of seventy, he responded to his beloved disciple. The joy from the heart was like an explorer who had just discovered a treasure.

We who were watching this scene with a smile in front of the screen were no exception.

That was Jones’ first year at Manchester United. Sir Alex broke the British youth player transfer fee record for him.

But ah, it has been eleven years since his most glorious moment in the Red Devils.

Injury is the most terrible enemy of athletes. You can fight it, but you can’t stop it from invading. Jones’s career record is 41 appearances in the first year. When he played only 16 games in the last four years, Manchester United fans already regarded him as a player who was not in the team.

Being in a team that was moving forward, but he was the only one who was moving backward, the sense of distance that was getting farther and farther consumed Jones for many years.

Jones, who was devastated by injuries, unable to meet the requirements of the game, and not needed, said goodbye to Manchester United after the end of his retirement contract.

Jones waved goodbye to Manchester United again, without the youthful exuberance of eleven years ago, calm and sad.

Do you still remember the dream when you were young? Like a flower that never withers.