Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced he has unleashed a rare beast of a player in the versatile Phil Jones.
The 21-year-old has occupied a variety of positions for United this season – something which has been reflected in his inclusion in several of Roy Hodgson’s England squads.
And, according to his boss, the former Blackburn Rovers man can be regarded as a hot prospect for the Red Devils’ future, with the potential to impress anywhere on the pitch.
“Jones is going to be a fantastic player, his talent is unbelievable,” Ferguson told the club website. “Yes 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 – 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.”
And the Scot has likened the youngster to former Old Trafford utility man Brian McClair.
“He’s just one of those unusual players you get now and again who can play anywhere,” he explained.
“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.
“Now, Brian McClair was a fantastic player. He could play anywhere, McClair. I remember kidding him on once, I said to him, just go and play in the right-back area and he laughed.
“I said to him, ‘What are you laughing at?’ and he said, ‘Next week I’ll be centre-half.’ But that was his character, so composed about life. Nothing bothered him.”
Despite being able to slot in where needed, Jones has claimed centre back is his preferred position – an area Ferguson is blessed with options in Jonny Evans, as well as established pair Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
“Jonny’s been really brilliant this season,” added Ferguson. “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 Ferdinand is 34 now and Nemanja Vidic is 31. Patrice Evra is 31 so, in that sense, players like Smalling, Jones and Evans will come to the fore.”
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