MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 08:35:56| >> :60:1113:1113:

Paul Scholes: Phil Jones is not "clever enough" to play centre-back

Paul Scholes believes that Phil Jones lacks the nous to play in central defence for Manchester United and England.

Paul Scholes has claimed that Phil Jones is "not clever enough" to play centre-back for Manchester United and England.

The 23-year-old has played in central defence and full-back as well as a defensive midfield role during his time with the Red Devils.

However, Scholes feels that his positional sense is not good enough to play at centre-back for Louis van Gaal's men on a regular basis.

"I just think at centre back, when he is playing against clever forwards, he tends to get dragged out of position quite easily," Scholes told ITV Sport.

"At right back you still need to be clever positionally but I think he can use his pace and power and he hasn't got a bad delivery either.

"When he first came to Manchester United he was a right back, he played right back all the time. He has got strength and power and he can get up and down the pitch. I just think at centre half he is not quite clever enough to do it."

Jones played at right-back for England in their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

ID:226898: cacheID:226898:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2216:
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's goalkeeper Joe Hart punches the ball clear during the international friendly football match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 7, 2015
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!