Phil Jones has spoken of how he hopes to receive more minutes at Manchester United after being sidelined by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so far this season.
The Englishman, who joined the club in 2011, has not made a single Premier League appearance since May, with Solskjaer opting for the duo of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in the club's opening five games.
Solskjaer also indicated that Jones would not feature against Astana on Thursday by confirming his decision to start Axel Tuanzebe in central defence at a press conference on Wednesday.
Speaking to the club's official website ahead of the game, Jones said: "There are players like myself, who've not been involved as much, but it's a chance for everyone to get games.
"It's a busy period when all the games come thick and fast, when you need a big squad with everyone ready to fight. But it's a period we relish."
The United boss also confirmed that Mason Greenwood, Fred and Sergio Romero would start the game against the champions of Kazakhstan.
Jones, who started in United's 4-0 defeat to Everton in April, has only made two appearances for the club since that game, after which Solskjaer declared to reporters that there would be certain players who would not be part of his project going forward.
Leo Nieboer
