Manchester United’s £16m bid for Blackburn’s Phil Jones came as a surprise to most fans as there were far more pressing transfer concerns that needed to be addressed. Clearly the attention from all the other top clubs forced United’s hand, with Jones a player they were keeping an eye on to sign in the future.
The sale of Wes Brown and John O’Shea has helped make more sense of it too, as well as the theory he had been bought to play in a holding midfield role, as he had done on occasion at Blackburn.
Since joining United, he’s played in the centre of defence and at right back, and has today claimed that in defence is where he is at his best.
“That is definitely where I play my best football,” he said. “I like to see the game in front of me and read the play. When the manager asked me to move into midfield at Blackburn it was strange. I didn’t expect it. It took a few games to adapt to that role and the positions I should take. But if I was asked to do that here, I would feel comfortable with it.”
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Thought he would do well a bit in front of the back line, but has been a confident surprise in central defense. Good to see Phil settling in. With the injuries sure to come, everyone will see plenty of action. May actually be a man light for fullback.
He was diffently signed for the future however with our back line looking light esp at fullback Phil jones could well see alot of action this season. It’s goin to be a big step up for him but i believe he has shown great potiental and if hes good enuf for for Fergie den hes good enuf for me!!!
This boy is going to be a superstar.
Next Manchester United + England Captain
Can’t argue with the decision to sign the lad – could come in very useful for the future, especially if he can take on Carrick’s role.
Good lad
Jones, Smalling, Evans, Rafael, Fabio. The next 10-15 years sorted for the defence.
I can’t wait to watch all these youngsters grow into the team. He looks like a monster – I bet he could even kick Rooney’s ass!!!
Hello guys.How are you guys?
Phil jones is a better version of john terry.He could easily become our Club’s legend and same for his country england.
I still believe he has been a great signing whose value will be seen in next 2 years.
Roll on sunday so that we can beat the arrogant bastards city.
20/4/12 – 2012
as there were far
more pressing transfer
concerns that needed to be
addressed,scott plz u aint fergie..u shld make it sound lyk an opinion.u re jst a fan of dis great club like us
Come on, let’s not be anywhere near being deluded — Jones is for the defence
Midfield general? Unless we can get Scholes’ son grown up fast, please admit that we need someone like Sneijder as our great King Cantona and Beckham pointed out…
Fergie, even the mentor Scholes gave his thumbs up, what else to doubt about?
Heres the way I see it –
The lad along with Ashley Young was bought for £15m+ which means SAF will play them regularly and will give them every opportunity to break into the first team because of the price spent on these guys.
With Phil Jones being 5’11, I don’t think Ferguson is confident enough to play a lad of 19 years in this position as often as he did with Smallings and Evans because his inexperience may cause him to be exposed to more aerial threats, despite being awesome in the air he may get exploited by teams that have intelligent target men like Kevin Davies or Bobby Zamora, Drogba,Heskey, Carrol etc. However it is safe to say he will do a great job for us centre back when called upon which will be often but not a regular back up like Evans & Smallings and I can see SAF or the future manager playing him at Centre Back after the experience he gains from several years playing at RB,CB,LB,CM.
Even some of the best short defender have suffered with this problem but they continue to progress or fufill their potential and some make the odd error in the air but still remain to be as good as any other big defender out there. (Cannavaro,Puyol,Vermaelen,Jagielka,gallas,Baresi, Roberto Ayala & Cordoba) To name a few are great defenders and world class & Legends also.
Phil Jones is a beast and no doubt about will be our Warrior at Centre back in the next 10-15 years but Rome was not built in a day and Jones will have good times and bad times on his way to greatness. This applies to Rafael,Fabio,Smallings, Cleverley,Welbeck and the rest.
I believe Evans + Gibbo have been through their worst and will see the light at the end of the tunnel come end of 2011/12 season. They have my full confidence and trust.
RED TILL I DIE, UNTIL TILL I DECOMPOSE
nd i tnk jones said…if I was
asked to do that here, I
would feel comfortable with
it..gud lad
RED TILL I DIE …. UNITED TILL I DECOMPOSE…. UNITED TILL I WALK PAST THE GATES OF HELL.
While I’m sitting here talking to myself, here’s another thought:
If you are Wesley Schneider, surely there is precious little difference at this point between getting 160,000 or 200,000, especially when you are coming into an established club with something of a pecking order. In the long run, what is important is getting the opportunity to become a legend.
A case in point is Robbie Fowler – I think his wages were really high a few years ago. But what did it do for him? Nothing. He’ll be remembered, but not the way he could have been if playing for a really top team that was winning things.
Inter Milan are not currently that team. We are. And what’s more, the time is now – we pretty much all agree that he would give a solid boost to the team. Three years ago, not so much. Three years from now, perhaps not so much.
Schneider already got rejected (rightly or wrongly) by Madrid and was lucky to land at a Mourinho team that absolutely rode their luck to the CL a couple of years ago. He might not get such a chance again.
That’s why we need to dig our heels in over wages. It’s not so much about saving some money for the richest club in the world, it’s about seeing where HIS priorities lie. Does he want to guarantee a big buildup to his bank account, or does he want to make a difference and perhaps become a legend?
@FletchTHEMAN at 1.20 : Wash yr mouth! Now say this 3 times ‘ Manchester United are healthy for the whole season’ .
Then put up some videoes on Hayley ,for penance u see!
And @Clint Kate perry now how to juggle a guys hormones.
Am now diverting from work to search for porn,thks kate perry aka @Clint.
Your welcomo Dave
I was here saying this guy was a defender by trade and he has now come out and admit it, you can’t put square pegs in round holes, never works effectively.
Oh no, more square pegs and round holes… but don’t you think, Samuel, that at the grand old age of 19, he’s still got time to learn something as little different?
“When Berbatov puts a square peg in a round hole, it fits — perfectly. He is the Most Interesting Footballer in the World (TM).”
papil papil papil.you are fucking funny,UNITED TILL I DIE
Why the Wes talk here.
Erm… not to be pedantic or anything, but in regards to your headline, where does he actually say he’s not a midfielder?
Where does he say that he is?
stateside – he may be 19 but even when he develops, he isnt going to turn into this fantastic holding midfield player that some imagine, he could do a job if needed, he seems versatile but i just think if he doesn’t stick to one position and improve there, it may affect his development, but this is my opinion and i’m sure we all possess different views.
he’s better as a defender but i hope we do get a midfielder soon
somebody tell me, what is Phil Jones’ actual height? different websites and statistic providers all give different figures
So he is not the answer in case Fletcher is injured. That’s why imo we need another midfield enforcer.
Future United captain. Bruce, Vidic now Jones.
Don’t like this Obertan to Newcastle rumour.
I like the look of this lad! I’m sure he’d be able to learn and develop as a midfielder, however, we bought him as a defender and in my opinion that is where he should/will stay. If Sir Alex was after a young defensive midfielder to nurture, there were plenty out there he could have gone for. Jones’ display against us last season away was brilliant. You’d have been excused for believing he could fulfill any position on the day he was everywhere! In terms of “enforcer”. Maybe we should sign De Jong as his talks with city have stalled?
Fergie said that Carrick is out of the Shield match with a knock. Valencia and Fletcher are back in full training and Hernandez is still 2-3 weeks away.
Costas – Morning mate. Could well be Anderson and Cleverley starting against City then.
Oh and great news regarding Valencia.
@KIng Eric
Good morning. I hope it’s those two that start. It will be a good test for both of them and especially Cleverley. Better that combination that Anderson-Giggs imo.
Costas – Yeah mate. I actually think these two can do the job. Can both get forward and defend as well. Great engines on the pair as well. A midfield of Fletch and Cleverley would also be decent. I have seriously high hopes for Tom. He has risen to every challenge and then some.
Regarding Jones just went on mail site to see the story about his Ingerlund call up. Just shows the ignorance of some rival fans when they come out with comments like “Phil Jones – 1 game at Manu and 8 conceded”. Fucking scum. When him and Smalling were on the pitch it was 2-2. Anyway he has played more than one game. Let them have their fun.
Ash – Hello mate. Yeah good thanks, how are you?
@Clint-IamYourPapii
Walk With Me In Hell \m/ !!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGT0I9YBLnM
@King Eric
Hi mate.I am good.
Eagerly waiting for the new season to begin.
Cmonn Reds
The lad will play where the boss tells him to play. I stand by my opinion, he’ll end up in midfield. Watching him the other night, he likes to bring the ball out of defense. Smalling is the same. That’s a good thing imo. The more comfortable they are on the ball, the better it will be for their overall game. Don’t like to talk up the young players too early, but I have the sense, we’re looking at the future United captain.
willie – I agree mate. In my opinion just a tad short for centre back, besides I can see Smalling and Jonny being first choice there in a year or two with Jonesy moving into midfield. Like you say definite future United captain.
I’m glad he said it himself. Some here were getting a little too exited of him playing in midfield.
Jones and Smalling are our future. Not sure Evans could surpass these 2.
Have anybody seen G.Pique play in front for barca. The guy is a defender but (despite the pool of attackers they’ve got), when they desperately needed an extra height infront of the opponent’s goal, he has ‘comfortably’ played in this position. That hasnt made him an attacker. Can Jones step-up when we need him to hold the midfield, definately. But imo he wouldnt take up this role permanently with Unitedition. That hasnt made him an attacker. Can Jones step-up when we need him to hold the midfield, definately. But imo he wouldnt take up this role permanently with United