Next generation of Manchester United stars ready to assume the mantle
Sir Alex Ferguson has always trusted young players, but the exceptional current crop have left him with almost no option
Posted by
Daniel Taylor
Tuesday 23 August 2011 15.37 BST The Guardian
Phil Jones is a case in point, a 19-year-old who gives the impression he is in his 10th year at Old Trafford rather than his 10th week. Sir Bobby Charlton and Paddy Crerand, team-mates from the European Cup victory of 1968, found themselves talking last week and decided they had already seen enough of Jones to pay him what, in United terms, is probably the ultimate compliment. "If you talk to Bobby Charlton," Crerand says, "Phil Jones reminds him of Duncan Edwards with his power and build."
Then there is the emergence of Smalling – a player, like Jones, whose development means the Old Trafford crowd no longer needs to fret unduly about Ferdinand's injury problems. Plus the fact Rafael and Fábio da Silva, at the age of 21, did not even play on Monday. Anderson has already shown in flashes that he can have a productive season and, like Jonny Evans, is still young enough, at 23, to be regarded as promising. Ashley Young is 26, a year older than Wayne Rooney and two years older than Nani. Javier Hernández is another 23-year-old and could feasibly be at Old Trafford for the next decade.
Ferguson has been remarkably unselfish when it comes to putting into place a team that will still be around long after his tenure has ended. "We compete in the present but at the same time build for the future," he says. On both counts, United have reason for optimism.
Manchester United's Phil Jones: it's flattering to be compared with Duncan Edwards
As Phil Jones pulls up a chair beneath the black and white images of Manchester United’s youngsters from previous generations, it becomes impossible to avoid the elephant in the room.
By Mark Ogden
8:00AM BST 01 Oct 2011
A youthful Ryan Giggs dominates the backdrop, there are pictures of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Gary Neville and, in the corner, a portrait of the Busby Babes with the imposing frame of Duncan Edwards standing out from the crowd.
“If you talk to Bobby Charlton,” says Paddy Crerand, Charlton’s team-mate in United’s 1968 European Cup winning team, “Phil Jones reminds him of Duncan Edwards with his power and build.”
Is Phil Jones the new Duncan Edwards?
By Stuart Mathieson 20 Dec 2011 13:31
When no less a judge than Sir Bobby Charlton talks about the striking similarities between Phil Jones and the late, great Duncan Edwards, you know United have secured a special talent.
Phil Jones destined for Manchester United folklore
Phil McNulty | 18:30 UK time, Sunday, 18 December 2011
Phil Jones was not even halfway through his day's work for Manchester United at Loftus Road when the latest lofty comparison landed on his head.
Everton's former Manchester United defender Phil Neville - tweeting in his guise as someone called @fizzer18 - announced that the 19-year-old had shown enough in a central midfield role in the 2-0 win to be placed in the same category as "a young Roy Keane."
The other half of the Neville brothers, Gary, says: "Jones has a touch of Bryan Robson or Roy Keane."
Jones can become an Old Trafford great, says Ferguson after versatile youngster helps guide United to 20th title
'Jones is going to be a phenomenal player,' said Ferguson.
'He has a fantastic influence, no matter where he plays.
'He has an instinct for the game and a drive about him.
'I have no idea where his best position is. He could play anywhere on the pitch. But he will be one of the best players we have ever had'
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