Jones is ready for the first team

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Phil Jones has the talent to break into the Manchester United first team immediately.

The £16.5million summer signing from Blackburn, will face competition at centre-back from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, as well as fellow up-and-coming defender Chris Smalling.

Ferguson told club magazine Inside United: “We first identified Jones when he played for Blackburn’s youth team against us a couple of years ago when they beat us 3-0. He was absolutely magnificent.

“You might think he might not play, but the ability he’s got and the determination he’s got, he could quite easily play. He’s the future obviously, but he could certainly come in right away.”