Jones Learning From The Best

Phil Jones acknowledges Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are the perfect mentors when it comes to being a top class centre-back at Manchester United.

The 21-year-old has been tipped for a bright future at Old Trafford, having impressed in two seasons since joining from Blackburn Rovers in 2011. And although opportunities to play in his favoured position are currently limited, Jones is happy to bide his time and learn from the best.

"I am always learning from Rio and Vida," Phil told MUTV. "When I watch the games and when we watch the games back, you pick things up - the good habits that they have. They are always talking to you in training and giving you advice. You are always learning, definitely."

Notably, Jones started this month’s FA Community Shield triumph at centre-back, suggesting his future might indeed lie there under David Moyes. However, an early injury to Rafael prompted a reshuffle, pushing him out to right-back with Chris Smalling moving into the middle.

When asked if the switch was a little frustrating, Jones couldn’t help but agree – though he was keen to point out that his personal ambitions are always outweighed by the greater good of the team.

"It was nice to start the game at centre-back and just when I thought I was going to have a really good game at centre-back with everything in position, something happened. But that is football and you just get on with it, thankfully we won the game as well.

"Of course, centre-half is where I see myself playing and hopefully I can get a run of games there, sooner rather than later, but it’s all about playing for Manchester United and that is massive."

Six days after winning at Wembley, Jones helped United record an impressive 4-1 victory over Swansea in David Moyes’ first league outing as United manager, a match that drew the gaze of the football world. As a result, there was an added pressure on the Reds, which made the triumph even sweeter.

"Winning is a habit and those are good habits to have," Phil said. "The lads were pleased after the game but we know it is a long season and there is no need to get carried away after the first game.

"I think there was pressure on us but I don’t think there was any added pressure compared to what we are normally used to. I thought we coped with it well and I thought all of the lads responded to it really well. We put on a good performance."