[18] Phil Jones wants he and Chris Smalling to develop a partnership at the back

[Red News]

“I’ve played with Chris for three or four years in the England Under-21s and also United, and we have a really good understanding. We compliment each other well and when you look at other central-defender partnerships and how they grow and build, they get better by playing together. You make mistakes along the way — everyone does — but the more you play together and understand each other the better the partnership gets. Hopefully that can happen and hopefully we have shown the manager that we are ready for the challenge. It’s a cliché, but, in a squad like Manchester United, it’s healthy to have competition. It keeps you on your toes and ready, training hard every day and wanting it even more. Whoever we bring in, I’m sure me and Chris will always be knocking on the door.”