If you look exclusively at stats and silverware, Phil Jones has enjoyed a good career so far.
The 27-cap England international, who celebrates his 30th birthday on Monday, has made more than 200 appearances for Manchester United.
He's also won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League and two Community Shields, as well as represented his country at two World Cups and the Euros.
There's more to football, however, than stats and silverware. Jones has been plagued with injuries and unnecessary comparisons he's struggled to live up to.
Here's the story of the defender's career to date - and why it's not over just yet.
How do you rate Phil Jones' career? Let us know in the comments below!
The GOAT?
Jones burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old back in September 2009, making his debut for then Premier League outfit Blackburn in a League Cup match against Nottingham Forest.
By the end of the season, he'd established himself in Blackburn's team and went on to make 28 appearances the following campaign to earn Sir Alex Ferguson's attention.
Jones would've probably played 40 games had it not been for a knee injury. It was a worrying sign of things to come.
Ferguson had seen enough, though, investing £16.5million in the teenager in June 2011. And the Scot was lucky, with Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish also after his signature.
It was there, however, where the comparisons began.
"We were hoping he was going to be captain of our club and captain of England," said Blackburn manager Steve Kean on selling Jones to United.
"He's a fantastic prospect and I'm sure he'll be an England regular very soon."
Then, five months later, England manager Fabio Capello compared Jones to Franco Baresi - AC Milan's three-time European Cup-winning defender.
The Italian's other honours include six Serie A titles, the World Cup and second-place in the 1989 Ballon d'Or - not to mention his 800 career appearances for club and country.
Capello also likened Jones to Real Madrid and Spain icon Fernando Hierro - another three-time European Cup-winning defender who played more than 800 games.
Even bigger comparisons followed. Sir Bobby Charlton is alleged to have likened Jones to the great Duncan Edwards - who sadly died following the Munich Air Disaster in February 1958 - while Ferguson suggested he could become United's GOAT in 2013.
"You saw Jones tonight... arguably - the way he's looking - he could be our best ever player," said the Scot. No pressure, then.
When you recall some of these comparisons, they make the mind boggle. How could any player live to these predictions? It was an impossible destiny for Jones to fulfil.
Injury problems
Although he'd battled injuries before Ferguson's prediction, Jones was never able to get close to his prophecy due to a string of complaints.
Since the manager's retirement in May 2013, Jones has suffered various hamstring, ankle and toe problems. A recent knee injury kept him on the sidelines for two years.
The Englishman has never managed 30 league games in a season due to his devastating injury record.
"I think as a footballer, as a person, as a human being, that’s the lowest I probably ever felt in my life," said Jones in September 2021 when discussing his two-year absence.
"You try and get a balance between football and family life but it was so difficult going home and trying to look after the kids. You’re there, but you’re not there, you’re not present."
Jones went on to say: "I found it really tough to watch football, just in general because you can’t do anything about it. You’re stuck, you’re off your feet.
"Coming into the training ground every day, it’s hard to get going because you’re going to be out for so long and I knew that getting the operation.
"But thankfully, I have a good team around me, family, friends, and I got through it."
The future
On January 3, 2022, Jones made his first United appearance in two years when he started against Wolves in the Premier League.
And it was an impressive display by the defender. It was proof he still has plenty to offer, even if he may never play 30 plus league games in a season.
"For someone to come in from the cold like that, you have to tip your hat to someone like that," said Jones' former team-mate Rio Ferdinand after the game.
Jones was linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in January but remained at Old Trafford and has since been added to United's Champions League squad.
He will surely feature again this season and has another year remaining on his existing deal. If he wants to fight for his place at United next term, he has the chance to do so.
As Jones enters his 30s, two things are clear. One, he's never going to become United's GOAT. But two, he is a good defender - good enough to wear the red of United.
With such a poor injury record, the treatment room is likely to remain a constant in Jones' career. But if United can limit his time in there, the best may yet be to come.
