On 13 June 2011, Manchester United said that they had reached a deal to sign Jones. The deal was for an undisclosed transfer fee. The deal would be finished upon his return from international games. He played his first game for the club on the 2011 pre-season tour to the USA, in United's 3–1 victory over Chicago Fire. Jones played as a second-half substitute, replacing Rio Ferdinand, in a 3–2 win over rivals Manchester City in the 2011 Community Shield. Jones played in his first Premier League game for United a week later. He entered again as a substitute for Ferdinand. United beat West Bromwich Albion 2–1 on the opening weekend.