Manchester United

Phil Jones: 'Youngsters can impress Jose Mourinho on pre-season tour'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 July 2017

Phil Jones expects to see some of the younger players in Manchester United's squad benefit from the upcoming trip to the United States as part of their pre-season tour.

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has claimed that the club's upcoming pre-season tour of the United States offers the perfect chance for some of the younger players to prove a point to manager Jose Mourinho.

The Red Devils are scheduled to face Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona during their trip Stateside, which they set off for in a week's time.

Jones will likely be joined in the squad by the likes of Axel Tuanzebe, Demetri Mitchell, Scott McTominay and Matty Willock, all of whom the Englishman believes have a chance to stake a claim.

"We've often played against these kinds of teams in pre-season and it's exciting for the fans in the States to come to the games," he told the club's official website. "They're big names and they have big-name players in their sides.

"It's a good for some of the young players who travel with us to experience matches like that. You can take a lot of positives from pre-season and look forward to the start of the season. The more matches you play, the more match-fit you are and seven games will give everyone a chance to get minutes under their belts.

"You need everyone at a good level for the start of the season. It's hard work, a lot of travelling, and time and effort being put in by everyone. But it's all about getting ready for the start of the season and preparing for the first game."

Jones is himself battling for a regular starting spot at Old Trafford next term following recent reports that he could be heading for the exit.