Fergie's just called Smalling and Jones our "long-term partnership" so it looks like playing him in midfield and out wide is just about making his game more rounded and finding ways to give him game-time.
Phil Jones
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I wonder what Evans would make of that.
Had a very assured first half today.
Aye. Interesting from SAF there.
I hope there are no more arguments about what his long term position will be. He's a centre back all day long. What a leap he's got
He's also a very good centre mid imo. Great prospect to have at the club. Plus we have Smalling Rafael DDG Welbeck Cleverly Evans and now Zaha by God we are spoilt.
Very good match from him.
He has that John Terry human blockade quality about him.
He might do a job there in an emergency but he's got all the raw ingredients to be an outstanding centre half and thats surely where his future lies.
Thought he was superb today.
Excellent performance, Smalling looks to compliment him well too. The future is bright.
He was brilliant in the air today
Bloody hell he's good.
you aint seen nothing yet....
Low and behold played at centre-half Phil Jones looks pretty damned good and doesn't spend his time charging about obviously trying to figure out where in midfield he's actually supposed to be. If we just played the guy in his natural position he'd develop incredibly fast. The way he started last season was proof enough of that for me. I still remember the last ditch tackle in the 2011/12 Norwich (H) fixture. Lets stop mucking him about and give him a chance to nail down a place at centre back, eh?
Rio, Vida, Smalling and Evans..that's why he's been played all over the place. Plus we needed some cover for Rafael at RB anyways.
He's not had many games at CB this season (3?) but he's been very good in all of them.
Promising.
Promising.
Evans is 25, and Smalling 23 and Jones 20, so maybe he's meaning, very long term partnership!
we are stacked with CBs...Keane,Wooten and Morgan as well...
They are all excellent prospects too.
They are all excellent prospects too.
He's a bit Vidicesque, but a (much) better footballer.
we are stacked with CBs...Keane,Wooten and Morgan as well...
They are all excellent prospects too.
Like the look of Keane, never seen Morgan, Wootton won't make it here.
Think there has been crossed wires.
As far as I know there isn't a Morgan at United, so I guess there has been a mix up after reading the Michael Keane thread where I mentioned that Wes Morgan (the Leicester City club captain) is a great partner for Keane.
I agree on Wootton, he's probably a Championship level defender.
I'm sort of feeling stupid about how quickly he's made me change my mind about how good he'll get and how quickly as a centre back, especially given that it'll only take a few poor performances to cast doubt again.
He does look very, very good though. The thing with Smalling and Jones (at the moment) is that they don't just get through games dependably looking quality young centre backs; they actually look noticeably excellent.
He does look very, very good though. The thing with Smalling and Jones (at the moment) is that they don't just get through games dependably looking quality young centre backs; they actually look noticeably excellent.
SAF rarely calls a young player a 'top prospect' and gets it wrong. I've always seen Smalling as a future world class CB, but I've had my doubts regarding Jones.
I must say though, he's been brilliant when given his chance at CB this season and has the ability to be a very good footballer too.
I must say though, he's been brilliant when given his chance at CB this season and has the ability to be a very good footballer too.
He was great today. Didn't go walkabout too often which he was guilty of when playing centre-back last season. Obviously he is still very young for a defender so pleasing to see him maturing.
If we had as much talent everywhere else as we have at CB...
Will Keane will make it here too. good catch by Drainy re: Morgan. I though he was our player.
have heard good things about Wooton. but have not seen him other than in one league cup match I think. thought he did well enough.
You're thinking of Michael Keane.
Will Keane's the striker, his twin brother.
And I think the pair of them looks good. Wootton won't make it.
I'm pretty sure that at the moment Fergie rates Evans highest of the three and rightly so. He's only speaking about the long term future i think.
Whenever Jones and Smalling play together, you never really worry. They work in tandem and complement each other quite well. I was convinced of their partnership ever since I saw them perform in U-21 euros.
Was said about Shawcross!
Smalling and Jones will be the new Rio and Vidic and possibly turn out even better. If De Gea fulfills his potential then it will be a hell of a triumvirate.
Smalling is the composed ballplayer, the equivalent of Rio, but arguably better in the air.
Jones is the muscle of the operation, the new Vidic - a bit of the John Terry Lionheart about him but he has that modern CB ability to burst forward when required.
The best thing (for me) is that they will become Englands first choice CB pairing as well. Playing together for both club and country will be fantastic for them and they should develop a great understanding.
Smalling is the composed ballplayer, the equivalent of Rio, but arguably better in the air.
Jones is the muscle of the operation, the new Vidic - a bit of the John Terry Lionheart about him but he has that modern CB ability to burst forward when required.
The best thing (for me) is that they will become Englands first choice CB pairing as well. Playing together for both club and country will be fantastic for them and they should develop a great understanding.
I didn't see it....so who was reponsible defensively for QPR's goal...if there was any blame that is...
yeah but Shawcross was around 19 or 20 when we sold him, and he hadn't even stopped growing. Wootton is 21 and fairly experienced but looks less competent than younger players at the clubs
Another brilliant performance from Jones today.
Rooney really, but it was quite a smart checked run from Hughes. If the game was closer then I think Rooney would have been more switched on.
Who also isn't good enough for United...
Jones is better than Vidic? What are you smoking? Vidic at his best is one of the best, if not THE best, players in the Prem. Sure, he's been injured this season, but I'm not sure how you can make statement like that.
I watch him at CB this year and I can't believe this is the game who played the same position last year. He's been our best CB in every game he's played this season in that position IMO.
He didnt say he was a better defender than Vidic
He didn't mean purely as a defender but as an all round footballer, Jones definitely has more ability on the ball than Vidic (that's why you could employ Jones in midfield or at right back, he has some of the attributes necessary to fit in there whereas Vidic has none).
Obviously Vidic used to be a much better defender and he still probably is. If Jones continues to develop he might be as good but there's still a very long way to go.
I'm pleased to finally see him in his natural position. After some of his performances at centre back last season I feared he may lack discipline to play there - he's been proving me wrong constantly this season. Hopefully he'll get to play there more because it's one position in which he might excel and become truly world class - not right back, not defensive midfielder, there he could be decent at best.