Man Utd youngster Phil Jones admits he was not expecting to be played in midfield during Saturday's draw with rivals Liverpool.
No arguments from United youngster over midfield switch
Manchester United youngster Phil Jones admits he was not expecting to be played in midfield during Saturday's draw with bitter rivals Liverpool.
The England international, who is most at home in central defence and also played at right-back for his country last week, was named in the middle of the park by manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the trip to Anfield.
Jones is no stranger to the position having fulfilled the role during his time at Blackburn and the 19-year-old believes he helped United get a foothold in the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw after a late Javier Hernandez goal.
"Yes, it was a surprise," he told
MUTV. "But, if the gaffer says I'm playing there, there's no arguments. I'm happy to be playing.
"It's hard as I've not played there in a while. The last time I played there, was for Blackburn quite a while ago but I had to adapt and I think it was about breaking the play up and making it difficult for Liverpool to play in there because it was quite congested."
Deserved
He added: "It was difficult today but I thought the lads did well and we deservedly got the point.
"It's a hostile one and a tough one but we knew that and expected it. We coped with it well, even when they got a slightly controversial free-kick outside the box and they put it in, we still kept at it and found ourselves in the game."
Jones hailed the contribution of team-mate Hernandez, who came on as a late substitute only to net the equaliser five minutes later.
He said: "Chicha's come on and done terrific and got his just rewards. He does it every day in training and is a fantastic guy to work with as well. He was brilliant when he came on."
Jones collided with Liverpool man Lucas towards the end of the first half but has calmed any fears over a knee injury.
"I'm alright," he added. "I jolted my knee a bit when I clashed heads with someone, I can't remember who it was. I'm fine."
