Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Phil Jones and Sam Johnstone Rumours

Phil Jones could reportedly "spark a defensive exodus" from Manchester United if he leaves for Stoke City.

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, the 24-year-old has been linked with Stoke, while Marcos Rojo is also for sale.

Wolverhampton Wanderers confirmed on Monday that Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has joined them on loan from the Red Devils for the season, while GetReading.co.uk (h/t Luckhurst) reported that Tyler Blackett could be set to join Reading.

Per Luckhurst, Stoke manager Mark Hughes "did not deny" the club are interested in Jones when asked about it on Saturday and "is even said to have asked a journalist if Jones was in attendance."

The defender signed for the Red Devils from Blackburn Rovers at 19 and looked to be an excellent acquisition—a young, technically accomplished and versatile centre-back who could play on the right or as a holding midfielder.

However, Jones has become increasingly injury-prone, has failed to kick on as previously thought and can no longer be relied upon.

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Last season, he made just 13 appearances in all competitions, down from only 24 the previous year.

Per ESPN's Alex Shaw, he struggled to impress for United during pre-season this summer:

As such, it is perhaps unsurprising he is yet to even make the bench in United manager Jose Mourinho's three games in charge.

Unless he can regain form and fitness—and prove he can maintain both over the course of a season—it looks as though he has no future at United.

Meanwhile, despite having David De Gea in front of him in the pecking order, reserve goalkeeper Sam Johnstone remains committed to the club and is learning from the Spaniard however he can.

Speaking to Adam Marshall of the club's official website, Johnstone said:

"

I don't think there's any difference between me and, say, Marcus [Rashford] and Jesse [Lingard]. They want to play for Manchester United. I want to play for Manchester United. I'm going to have to bide my time a little bit, being in a position where I've got one of the best goalkeepers in the world ahead of me but I will use that to my advantage and learn from it.

Of course, it is even more difficult as a keeper and people don't seem to properly understand that. You've got one position in the team and that is taken up by a world-class player. I've been learning from him since he first came and training with him every day, and the coaches and Sergio [Romero], is only helping me.

"

Luckhurst had reported the 23-year-old could be set to leave United this summer in search of first-team football with his contract due to expire next year.

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Johnstone has been at Old Trafford for 13 years but is yet to make a single senior appearance for the Red Devils, having spent time on loan at six different clubs.

As football writer Liam Canning noted following United's FA Cup win in May, De Gea has developed into a crucial player at the club:

Indeed, with the Spaniard just two years his senior, it looks as though Johnstone will only get the opportunity to play for the first team if De Gea leaves or gets injured.

Even then, the club have Sergio Romero to call on, and it would take some monumental performances to convince Mourinho that Johnstone could replace De Gea for the long term.

While his commitment to the club is admirable, Johnstone should be looking to establish himself as a No. 1 as soon as possible, even if that means leaving United.