Rio Ferdinand has apologised for comments he made about Phil Jones last week following a strong response from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Manchester United centre-half has barely featured over the past two years due to horrific injury problems.
Jones was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2011 but has been unable to fulfil his potential for a host of reasons.
He was handed a new deal recently, which Ferdinand took issue with claiming he should've been moved on to allow youth players an opportunity.
"He’s taking up a youth team player’s position in that squad right now," Ferdinand told his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel.
"He’s had too many injuries… I was in the same team as Phil Jones, he came from Blackburn as a young kid, everyone was saying he was going to be this great player.
"Huge potential but injuries have absolutely annihilated his career and then confidence issues at certain times as well. He’s never been able to fully establish himself in the team. Whether it’s injuries, lack of form, lack of confidence."
He continued: "I think he should’ve gone ages ago. He should’ve gone before Chris Smalling went. Find a new club and play some football.
"I am baffled at how he’s still been given a new deal at the club given his past few years at the club. It just doesn’t make sense to me how you get a new deal."
Solskjaer was quick to defend his player, claiming his former team-mate was "out of order".
"Phil has had a horrible 18-19 months and probably a year before that as well with injuries," said the United boss. "I think Rio was a bit, not out of order, but a bit unlucky.
"He should have called me and asked why Phil hasn’t played or why Phil hasn’t been here. Phil is a no fuss, get on with it type of guy.
"I think that was out of order completely. I know more than anyone how it feels to be injured at that stage."
Ferdinand has been quick to hold his hands up however.
The former Red Devils claims he was unaware about the extent of Jones' injury problems and sympathises with his situation.
He said: "The one area where I would apologise to Phil Jones and anyone at Manchester United who has been a part of his journey.
"From speaking to people behind the scenes last week, he's had real issues with injuries.
"To the extent that Bruno Fernandes only trained with him for the first time last week - so that tells you how long he's been injured.
"So I didn't know that, that's not been communicated to the public. So from that stand point, for someone who's been injured, knowing what that does to you from a mental point of view, I hold my hands up and I apologise."
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