Rockman, Lazie- Phil Jones according to Alex

[Dunny]

Step aside, Van Persie: Fergie backs 'animal' Jones to play as STRIKER

By Andrew Magee
PUBLISHED:11:11, 5 April 2013| UPDATED:22:01, 5 April 2013

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Sir Alex Ferguson has described Phil Jones as an ‘animal for football’ and one of the few players capable of playing anywhere on the field.

The Manchester United manager praised his 21-year-old defender for his versatility, though he said he ultimately sees the England international as a centre back.

‘Jones is going to be a fantastic player,’ said Ferguson. ‘His talent is unbelievable. His best position is centre back but you could play him anywhere. I think you could play him centre forward. He’s just that type of player.


'Animal': Phil Jones is highly rated by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
FERGIE AGREES WITH OUR MAN


The Daily Mail's Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel argued that Phil Jones could play in midfield for England and later dubbed Jones the Baresi of England. It seems Sir Alex Ferguson agrees!


‘He’s an animal for football. He grasps the game, he understands it. Play him right back? Brilliant. Play him centre midfield? No problem. Play him centre back? Terrific.’

Jones has been hampered by injury this season but has featured in a variety of roles, including defensive midfield against Chelsea in the FA Cup and Real Madrid in the Champions League.






Utility men: Before Jones, John O'Shea and Phil Neville both once played many important roles for Ferguson


But, if he is to prove a long-term fixture in the United defence, he will have to see off plenty of competition.

Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans join Jones as those most likely to take over the mantle from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

‘Jonny’s been really brilliant this season,’ said Ferguson, speaking in the club magazine Inside United.

Competition: Robin van Persie (second left) could soon be vying for a place up front with Jones... or maybe not

Under threat: Danny Welbeck (right) hasn't scored many goals this season but Rio Ferdinand has done his job at the back






Unusual: Jones (left) is extremely versatile and Ferguson is predicting big things for him



‘He’s 25 years old now and, hopefully, for the next six or seven years, he could be a regular centre back for us. Obviously, Rio is 34 and Vidic is 31. Patrice Evra is 31 so, in that sense, players like Smalling, Jones and Evans will come to the fore.’

But Ferguson reserved special praise for Jones, comparing him to a former United hero who was equally versatile.

‘He’s just one of those unusual players you get now and again who can play anywhere. We’ve not had a player like him in terms of someone who can play at that performance level since — well, the closest you would get would be Brian McClair.’
Trend setter? Brian McClair was also an important figure for United



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[Karl]

He is very, very good!

[OJ]

Congrats Manu!!!!

[Rockman]

Fergie obviously has confidence in Jones, and has a knack for bringing out the best in his work in progress.
Fergie is sitting on a squad that can dominate the EPL for a few years, the quality of the youngsters is astounding.It is a rich squad hence a competitive one regarding pecking order.

[Karl]

All his young defenders are excellent!!!

[Lazie]

Step aside, Van Persie: Fergie backs 'animal' Jones to play as STRIKER

By Andrew Magee
PUBLISHED:11:11, 5 April 2013| UPDATED:22:01, 5 April 2013

• Comments (65)
• Share
• 
  
  

Sir Alex Ferguson has described Phil Jones as an ‘animal for football’ and one of the few players capable of playing anywhere on the field.

The Manchester United manager praised his 21-year-old defender for his versatility, though he said he ultimately sees the England international as a centre back.

‘Jones is going to be a fantastic player,’ said Ferguson. ‘His talent is unbelievable. His best position is centre back but you could play him anywhere. I think you could play him centre forward. He’s just that type of player.


'Animal': Phil Jones is highly rated by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
FERGIE AGREES WITH OUR MAN


The Daily Mail's Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel argued that Phil Jones could play in midfield for England and later dubbed Jones the Baresi of England. It seems Sir Alex Ferguson agrees!


‘He’s an animal for football. He grasps the game, he understands it. Play him right back? Brilliant. Play him centre midfield? No problem. Play him centre back? Terrific.’

Jones has been hampered by injury this season but has featured in a variety of roles, including defensive midfield against Chelsea in the FA Cup and Real Madrid in the Champions League.






Utility men: Before Jones, John O'Shea and Phil Neville both once played many important roles for Ferguson


But, if he is to prove a long-term fixture in the United defence, he will have to see off plenty of competition.

Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans join Jones as those most likely to take over the mantle from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

‘Jonny’s been really brilliant this season,’ said Ferguson, speaking in the club magazine Inside United.

Competition: Robin van Persie (second left) could soon be vying for a place up front with Jones... or maybe not

Under threat: Danny Welbeck (right) hasn't scored many goals this season but Rio Ferdinand has done his job at the back






Unusual: Jones (left) is extremely versatile and Ferguson is predicting big things for him



‘He’s 25 years old now and, hopefully, for the next six or seven years, he could be a regular centre back for us. Obviously, Rio is 34 and Vidic is 31. Patrice Evra is 31 so, in that sense, players like Smalling, Jones and Evans will come to the fore.’

But Ferguson reserved special praise for Jones, comparing him to a former United hero who was equally versatile.

‘He’s just one of those unusual players you get now and again who can play anywhere. We’ve not had a player like him in terms of someone who can play at that performance level since — well, the closest you would get would be Brian McClair.’
Trend setter? Brian McClair was also an important figure for United



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Fergie clearly see something in him. I prefer him as a RB or man marking in the midfield. Yes, he was excellent yesterday, but it was Villa.

[Dunny]

The best young Centre half in England bar none!!

[Dunny]

Jones can become an Old Trafford great, says Ferguson after versatile youngster helps guide United to 20th title

By Simon Stone, Press Association
PUBLISHED:15:57, 23 April 2013| UPDATED:15:57, 23 April 2013

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Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped Phil Jones to become one of Manchester United’s greatest ever players.

Jones has endured a difficult season at Old Trafford, suffering a couple of injury absences that have restricted him to just 16 starts in all competitions.

Yet his value to United has been in evidence over the last two months.

Star performer: Jones has excelled since returning from injury this year

Whether it was keeping Real Madrid quiet after being handed a defensive midfield role in the Bernabeu, subduing Stoke from his right-back station or strolling through Monday night’s Premier League-title clinching effort against Aston Villa at centre-half, Jones has excelled.

The last player capable of filling such a wide variety of roles was John O’Shea. And ultimately, that versatility prevented the Irishman from holding down a regular berth in Ferguson’s team.

At 21, one senses that will not happen to Jones. It is just that Ferguson himself does not know where his talents are best suited.

'Jones is going to be a phenomenal player,' said Ferguson.

'He has a fantastic influence, no matter where he plays.

'He has an instinct for the game and a drive about him.

'I have no idea where his best position is. He could play anywhere on the pitch. But he will be one of the best players we have ever had.'

Mr Versatile: Jones put in a fine performance in midfield against Real Madrid in February




High praise indeed, underlining why Jones has previously been compared to Duncan Edwards, who was only 21 when his life was tragically cut short in the Munich air crash.

Yet Jones is not the only youthful member of the United squad to excel this season.

It did seem Brazilian full-back Rafael was destined to be remembered for the red card that ended up condemning United to a Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in 2010 every bit as devastating as the one they suffered at the hands of Real Madrid this season.

As the 22-year-old missed all United’s pre-season preparations due to his commitments to the Brazil Olympic quest, only to make a mistake in the final that allowed Mexico to claim a shock win, Rafael looked set for a bit-part role at best.

Instead, with Jones and Chris Smalling both missing the start of the campaign through injury, Rafael slotted into the right-back role Antonio Valencia had filled for the opening game at Everton, and he lost it only once in a match of note until December.

'Rafael has had a fantastic season,' said Ferguson.

'His impetuosity has left him and he is playing with great maturity now.'

Consistent: Ferguson feels that Rafael has matured this season



It is such contributions which have convinced Ferguson that United are on the brink of another golden period.

The arrival of England Under-21 winger Wilfried Zaha should add more verve, probably at the expense of Nani, while Anderson’s reduced contribution also hints at a summer exit.

Wayne Rooney’s future is likely to provide the most significant talking point of the summer.

The lack of a handshake between player and manager when he was replaced by Danny Welbeck on Monday night has created yet another talking point and speculation will surface on a regular basis until such time as Rooney either signs a contract extension or signals an intention to leave.

Ferguson though has other priorities at present.

His targets over the final four games are to reach United’s own Premier League best tally of 92 points, from the 1993-94 campaign, and Chelsea’s mark of 95 from 2004-05, the most any team has collected since the new league was formed 21 seasons ago.

And there is one more thing bothering him too.

Since January, Paul Scholes has been sidelined by a knee injury, and the Scot has repeatedly said his long-serving midfielder was on the brink of a comeback.

Thus far, it has not happened.

But with time ticking away on what seems certain to be Scholes’ last season, Ferguson wants the 38-year-old back in his team again.

'I could still have Paul Scholes fit in the next couple of weeks,' he said.

'He deserves to play in the last few games.'

Injury lay-off: Ferguson is hoping Scholes will return before the end of the season



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[Assasin]

Some a Samba rub off on him. Can play offense and defense

[Dunny]

Is Phil Jones the new Duncan Edwards?20 Dec 2011 13:31
When no less a judge than Sir Bobby Charlton talks about the striking similarities between Phil Jones and the late, great Duncan Edwards, you know United have secured a special talent.



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Phil Jones gave another commanding performance for the Reds during their crucial 2-0 win at Loftus Road at the weekend
When no less a judge than Sir Bobby Charlton talks about the striking similarities between Phil Jones and the late, great Duncan Edwards, you know United have secured a special talent.

Another stand-out individual display at QPR on Sunday from the 19-year-old England star only gave further credence to the growing comparisons between the Busby Babes colossus and the Reds’ latest teenage wonderkid.

What’s more, their powerful all-round talent isn’t the only similarity that links the pair.

In an amazing coincidence, Jones was born on February 21 – the day United legend died as a result of injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster.

Edwards was the Busby Babe who epitomised the derring-do of the 1950s Old Trafford era that ended so tragically in Germany.

He was just 21 when 15 days after the crash following a United European Cup trip he lost his fight for life due to kidney failure.

Edwards was 16 when he made his Reds debut and had already amassed a total of 175 games, scoring 21 goals and was the bright young hope of the England team with 18 full caps to his name when he died.

Edwards was a giant who could play anywhere and was fondly remembered for being naturally blessed with attributes as a player with size, speed, power, a sense of buccaneering adventure in his attacks and he could pass shoot, score goals and head the ball.

In short, his contemporaries revered him as the complete footballer.

United’s £16.5m summer buy from Blackburn Rovers is ticking the same quality boxes. He has been the stand-out consistent success of the champion’s £50m summer investments.

The 19-year-old’s strength and versatility inevitably have put him in the same bracket as the Dudley-born man mountain. The February 21 connection merely adds to the bonds linking the two.

Jones arrived from Ewood Park in the summer relatively un-heralded with some United fans remembering him solely for a sterling job done against the Reds last May when the Reds won the title in Blackburn.

But Jones has smoothly embraced the step up to the Old Trafford stage.

At right back, centre back and in midfield, the Preston-born all rounder has been impressive. He has also forced his way into Fabio Capello’s England side and is a certainty for the Euro 2012 squad of 23 for next June’s championships in Poland and Ukraine.

The accolades are never ending and the Edwards comparison has been at the forefront of the tributes.

But Duncan Edwards’ self-confessed understudy in the Busby Babes side, Wilf McGuinness, is urging everybody to let Jones become his own man.

“I have always thought of Duncan as being incomparable and I still do,” Wilf told M.E.N. Sport.

“To me he was like Roy Keane, Bryan Robson and Steve Gerrard rolled into one. That was Duncan. I don’t think anyone can compare to that.

“I hear what people are saying about Phil Jones and that’s fine but I wouldn’t want to saddle him with the Edwards comparison - I don’t think that would be fair on the lad.

“But there are similarities. There is no question about that and I certainly think Jones is going to be a player in the mould of Keane, Robson and Ince for United.

“His future at Old Trafford is looking very, very good and he is going to be an excellent player for the club. He is a really exciting player and has the makings of being a great player for United.

“I think we should be happy about that for now and make comparisons maybe when he’s finished his career.

“When the manager bought him in the summer I realised here was a player who could blossom under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson and his staff.

“He was young and I could see him developing. He was a good buy in my eyes but he has turned out even better than that.”

Jones’ adaptability appealed to Fergie’s value-for-money policy and he’s been an impressive full back and fitted into the centre of defence.

But it has been as a dynamic engine room component that has been his most eye-catching contribution.

“In my view, Duncan Edwards was best in midfield but I always thought eventually he would have become a centre back as he got older,” added McGuinness.

“Certainly at this moment, I would play Phil in midfield. When you have the qualities that he has I think it can sometimes be a little bit of a waste when you are restricted to a defensive role.

“But when you have assets like Phil has then that can limit your impact. Players like that want to be involved and when you see some of the runs he was doing at Queen’s Park Rangers on Sunday you wouldn’t want him to be confined to an area at the back.”