Man City star: “Phil Jones is going to be England captain one day.

International football seems to quell the fierce rivalries that can stem from club football.

One Saturday you can be going toe to toe with a man and the following Saturday standing shoulder to shoulder with him. For some fans  this isn’t the case as the tribal nature of our game doesn’t allow for us to cheer a man who we have abused for laughs all season (I like England but you’ll NEVER hear me cheering Steven Gerrard) but for players these issues don’t arise.

Many of the players are friends and whilst City and United many be at each others throats many of the players are actually friendly, take for example Micah Richards.

The Birmingham born, Leeds bred right back has prescribed to the rivalry between us and City having come through their academy but won’t let the rivalry cloud his judgement as he singled out two of our youngster for praise whilst speaking to The Guardian,

“Chris Smalling’s come in at right-back. He doesn’t like playing right-back but he’s doing a good job for Man United and I’m happy for him because we’re good mates.”

Familiar with Smalling from the England u21 set up there is another United youngster that has caught his eye as well as the country’s imagination and Richards is under no illusions as to how talented this player is as he has showered him with praise,

“Phil Jones is going to be England captain one day. He could play in midfield.

“He’s got everything: pace, reads the game well, is good on the ball. He’s at the right club as well because Sir Alex Ferguson promotes young players.”