“I do hopefully see us eventually playing in the centre of the defence.”

Center backs by trade, this season has seen both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones employed in a number of different roles.

Both have had stints at right back and Phil Jones is currently shining in the middle of the park alongside Michael Carrick but being played in these different positions are all part of their learning.

Because at some point in the future it is expected that we will see a Smalling/Jones central defensive partnership.

The two played together at the heart of defence for England at the European u21 tournament in the summer and Smalling is looking forward to partnering up with Jones for United too,

“I do hopefully see us eventually playing in the centre of the defence. We’re both young and that’s where ideally we want to play.

“There’s a good bond between me and Phil. We get on really well. Phil has done really well since he’s come in.

“I think he can play pretty much anywhere, which is good for United and England.

“We’re both happy playing anywhere. Playing in different positions, as we have been doing, is good experience for both of us.

“You have to be able to adapt. That’s important.”