JONES LEARNS FROM THE BEST Versatility can be a burden to players seeking to refine their craft in one position, but Phil Jones hopes to use that adaptability to his advantage and to become a more complete centre-half. The 20-year-old believes that in the long-term he will settle in the heart of the defence, despite many of his early United opportunities coming at right-back or in midfield. And the Reds no.4 intends to use those broad-ranging experiences as fact-finding missions for future use. “I’ve always said that my favourite position and the one I feel most comfortable in is centre-half,” he told Red View. “But if playing in different positions helps me become a better player then that’s great. “It’s never easy going into a different position. I don’t kid myself that playing right-back one week and then centre-midfield the next can be difficult to do; it’s a completely different game, different circumstances and you have to adapt to it. If I am asked to play in a certain situation then I will play there because I enjoy playing football.” There was debate over Rio Ferdinand’s best natural position as a young player. His technical quality leant itself to a midfield role, but he eventually fused ability on the ball with defensive skills to become a world-class, all-round centre-back. The two players are of different stock, but could Jones follow a similar route? “I hope so,” he says. “If I could be anything like the player Rio is and has proven to be over 10 years at this club then I’ll be delighted. I try to learn from him in training and I listen to any advice that he gives me because I want to be as good a player as I can possibly be.” More: Yorke toasts Van Persie impact | Rafael up for Samba Gold | Sir Alex wants home comforts | 
