Moyes’ salute for Jones, Smalling

Date published: 11 March 2014


MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes thinks Chris Smalling and Phil Jones could be England’s first–choice centre–back pairing for years to come.

United returned to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable 3–0 win over West Brom.

With most of the focus being on Robin van Persie’s possible sending–off, Pepe Mel’s future, and United’s return to form, one interesting fact slipped under the radar.

Saturday was the first time Smalling and Jones had started together at centre–back in the Barclays Premier League, even though both have been at the club for almost three years.

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were the last established centre–back pairing, but with both players seemingly nearing the end of their United careers, an opportunity has opened up for Smalling and Jones to stake a claim.

And it is not just United who can prosper, according to Moyes.

“I think the future will probably be with Jones and Smalling as the two future England centre–backs,” the Manchester United manager said.

“The two boys today could easily be the two centre–backs for England in the World Cup. They will certainly be competing with the other Manchester United centre–backs to start for this club.”

Jones and Smalling dealt well with the threat posed by Albion’s hulking striker Victor Anichebe and Moyes will give the two a chance to prove they can succeed Vidic, who is off to Inter Milan, and Ferdinand, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

“I’ve said I wanted see how they do before the end of the season,” the Scot said.

“I will be continuing to use Vidic and Rio and Jonny Evans. We know Vida (Vidic) is moving on so we have to take the chance to look at what the younger ones are capable of.”