Manchester United News: Latest Rumours on Phil Jones and James Wilson

Jose Mourinho will look to trim his Manchester United squad ahead of the 2016-17 season, and Phil Jones' place in the first-team setup is under threat, according to the Manchester Evening News' Stuart Mathieson.

Jones has been used sparing in pre-season under his new Portuguese manager, with just one start and three substitute appearances to his name, per Soccerway. After being named in the starting XI for the friendly clash with Borussia Dortmund, he was removed at half-time.

A versatile defender, Jones' adaptability has led him to plug gaps instead of cementing himself with a starting spot at Old Trafford since his arrival in 2011.

Stephen Pond/Getty Images

The former Blackburn Rovers player has been utilised all across the back four during his tenure at the club and even endured an ill-fated spell in central midfield. Ultimately, he has looked most comfortable in the right-back position, with his long-term future seeming destined for a centre-back role.

The 2016-17 campaign marks the 24-year-old England international's sixth season at the Theatre of Dreams, but he has yet to spark the imagination of Mourinho, per Mathieson.

Daily Star chief sports editor Jeremy Cross provided his view after watching Jones in a friendly against Everton: 

Jones was left out of United's Community Shield meeting with defending league winners Leicester City and was forced to watch from the stands in a shirt and tie. 

Per the Score, the Red Devils have confirmed that club captain Chris Smalling will be suspended for their side's opening league clash away to Bournemouth on the first day of the new season. With the towering stopper unavailable, there remains scope for Jones to be involved. 

Football writer Liam Canning is concerned for Jones' long-term future at the club:

He has previously been linked with a move to Premier League new boys Hull City. The Tigers are facing an injury crisis ahead of the their return to the top tier following an injury-hit pre-season. However, per the Daily Record (h/t Charlie Mullan of the Hull Daily Mail), Jones wants to know which manager will take over from former coach Steve Bruce before making any decision on a move to Humberside.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City want to add some firepower to their attack by bringing United youngster James Wilson to St Andrew's, per ESPN's Peter O'Rourke (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star).

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The striker spent last year on loan at high-flyers Brighton & Hove Albion, netting on five occasions as the Seagulls narrowly missed out on promotion with a late-season collapse.

Wilson is not in Mourinho's first-team plans following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and emergence of Marcus Rashford, with Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial also ahead of him in the pecking order.

According to EFL.com, the Blues scored just 53 goals in the Championship last season, the joint-lowest of any team finishing in the top 10. They began their new assault on the title with a 0-0 draw against Cardiff City on Saturday.