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Phil Jones believes United will recover from their deflating loss to Southampton. Richard Sellers

Manchester United are 'comfortable' with three at the back, says Jones

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman observed what he saw as a weakness in the system.

MANCHESTER UNITED DEFENDER Phil Jones is adamant that he and his team-mates are comfortable playing with a three-man defence.

Louis van Gaal has frequently adopted a back three since taking the reins at Old Trafford in July, though fans and pundits are not completely convinced by the system, with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman identifying it as a weakness after he masterminded a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

But Jones insisted to the press: “I think we are comfortable playing in it. Whether we have a back four or three, we are comfortable with both.

“Sometimes maybe we play that pass in the defence that we shouldn’t but we are comfortable playing in both formations the manager has shown.

“We are still improving as a team. It’s a learning curve. It doesn’t just happen overnight. You don’t just click your fingers and you are used to playing in a new formation. It’s like anything, it takes time, but we are improving in training and we want to get better. That’s the main thing.

“Every one of us in the changing room wants to get better, to learn and that’s only good for us.”

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12 Comments
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    Mute Conor Matthew
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:54 AM

    Has Jones ever watched United play?

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    Mute ronan murray
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    Jan 14th 2015, 8:53 AM

    Well he can hardly say we are useless with 3 at the back can he?

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    Mute Malachy Mc Carron
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:07 AM

    3 R 4 at the back doesn’t matter when they r so slow to play the ball out from the back , horrible to watch , y can’t they get it to the attackers asap , way to predictable . Utd fan

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    Mute Robert O Farrell
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    Jan 14th 2015, 8:54 AM

    Will you be quiet Jones you donkey.. Sunderland beckons..

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    Mute Neil Blair
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    Jan 14th 2015, 9:20 AM

    I’d say most oppositions are comfortable with United playing 3 at the back too. The ball often ends up at Chirs Smalling’s feet in the middle. I’d feel very comfortable to let him have it as much as he likes.

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    Mute Andy
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:21 AM

    Comfortably numb.

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    Mute Ciarán Doolan
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:26 AM

    The fans aren’t comfortable with it though

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    Mute Daithi Mcmahon
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:10 AM

    Jones and comfortable shouldn’t even be in the same sentence

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    Mute adrian
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    Jan 14th 2015, 11:17 AM

    Yes they might be when they sign 3 other defenders to take yer positions

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    Mute James O'Donoghue
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    Jan 14th 2015, 2:28 PM

    I’d be more comfortable with a plant pot and a watering can playing in that 3 man defence instead of Jones and Smalling.

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    Mute Walter Heisenberg
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    Jan 14th 2015, 11:05 AM

    That penalty from last season has just past saturn

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    Mute Noely Elliot
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    Jan 15th 2015, 1:54 AM

    Has to be a contender for the worst player in the squad.

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