Jones: I’d be worried if we didn’t want Hummels

Phil Jones claims he was happy to see Manchester United linked with Mats Hummels and Sergio Ramos in the summer.

The centre-half’s place in the United side would clearly have been in danger if they had signed a commanding centre-half, but he claims he can handle the competition.

Jones has started United’s last three games against Everton, CSKA Moscow and Manchester City in partnership with Chris Smalling – who is currently undroppable – conceding just one goal.

“We are at Man United, so we are always going to be linked with Ramos or Hummels or whoever it is. It’s not a problem. It’s something you have to deal with from when you are a kid.

“You have to battle your way through and show people. If you can’t cope with that you don’t deserve to be at the club. We are at one of the best clubs in the world. I would be a bit worried if we weren’t linked with the best players in the world. It’s natural and healthy.

“I hope my partnership with Chris is developing. Every time I play with Chris, he’s comfortable, he is a great leader, a great talker. We complement each other well.

“We haven’t played that many games together but when we have, we’ve done well. We have been here for five years but at the start of my career here I was right-back, centre-back, centre-mid, and Chris as well.

“But a million per cent, what I need is a run of games. The more you play, the more confident you get. Chris has been terrific this season and hopefully we can cement a partnership together.

“I am delighted for Chris. He has worked his socks off. All the credit he is getting at the moment, he deserved. I am pleased for him.

“But we have been tight defensively this season, we have not shipped many goals – except for the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, which was freakish and will not happen again.”