Jones: A sign of champions
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Phil Jones feels the hard-earned win against Norwich showed United have what it takes to become champions of England again.
The Reds are striving for a record 20th title and second-half efforts from Anderson and Danny Welbeck keeps Sir Alex's side on top of the Barclays Premier League table going into the international break.
The Canaries made life difficult for the hosts on a hot afternoon at Old Trafford and Jones needed to show his class in defence on a couple of occasions with vital interceptions.
"It was a difficult game," he conceded to MUTV. "Norwich came here with a game-plan and stuck to it. It made it difficult for us to break them down but we showed signs of champions today in getting two goals late on. It's a big win for us.
"As champions, football fans expect you to turn up and be the best every week but we know football isn't like that and it was proved today. Norwich's game-plan worked well for them before we broke them down in the end. They made it difficult and we had to be patient, that's what the manager said at half-time - move the ball quicker but be patient.
"They're dangerous with a few good players up front who are sharp and lively. We had to watch out for that - perhaps I was needed too many times, when I wasn't expected to be, but that's what I'm there for.
"It's been difficult not having a settled back-four all season but all the lads are capable of switching around and it again shows the sign of champions, coming into positions and still proving you're good enough."
Jones is clearly relishing the move to United and looks the part in the famous red shirt.
"I wanted to come to Manchester United," he stated. "Having played most games for Blackburn, week in and week out, I knew it was tough to ask for here.
"But I've enjoyed it and I'm enjoying it now. I love doing what I'm doing."
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Manchester United starlet Phil Jones admits he is flattered by comparisons that have been drawn between him and Duncan Edwards.
Edwards died aged 21 in the Munich air disaster, but despite his tender age was already considered one of the best defenders in Europe and was an England international.
And since his arrival at Old Trafford, some have suggested Jones is similar in style to Edwards.
"It's brilliant for me to even be considered as being a player who could become as good as Duncan Edwards was," Jones told the Daily Telegraph.
"It is flattering and, for young lads like myself and my team-mates to be compared to great young players of the past, it is an amazing feeling.
"People have told me about Duncan, facts and figures about him, but I obviously know what he means to this club.
"When you come into training in the morning, knowing that people are talking about you in the same breath as players of the Busby era, it is fantastic, but I can't let it affect me. I have to play my own game and continue to do what I have been doing so far.
"I wanted to come here and play. I didn't want to come from playing every week at Blackburn to becoming a bit-part player at United, but I knew I probably had to do that at the start.
"I wanted to come to United because I felt that the club was right for me, so if I had to wait, I was prepared for it.
"One of my strong points is that, no matter what anyone says about me, it will not affect me, it's because I believe in my ability and what I can achieve.
"I know I am good enough to be here, otherwise the manager wouldn't have paid the money he spent to bring me to the club.
"It doesn't matter what anyone tells me, I know that I can rely on myself. It comes from my parents. They are the same strong-minded people as I am and I just don't let anyone bring me down.
"I want to be a successful player. I want to be remembered one day as a great player, good athlete, good professional. I don't want to be a player that people don't remember, but I have to work hard for that. I have to do some grafting, but it is something I am willing to do."
This is just too much lol. How can Jones be compared to the incomparable Duncan Edwards.
