Manchester United defender Phil Jones has said he wants to cement a regular place in new manager Louis van Gaal's three centre-back system.
- Mitten: A positive start for Man United
- Smith: Prem drama makes up for lost stars
- Giggs says Van Gaal similar to Fergie
Van Gaal played Jones alongside Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans in the back line as United started life under his management with a thumping 7-0 win over LA Galaxy.
And The Guardian reported Jones, 22, as saying: "We played three at the back, with Luke [Shaw] and Antonio [Valencia] as wing-backs, and it worked.
"It's a learning process, but we're getting used to it. This is the first time I've played three at the back -- every manager has got his philosophy, and we're all pulling in the right direction."
He stressed that he hoped to be able to succeed Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic, both of whom left Old Trafford this summer, as a regular in the centre of the United defence.
"That's ultimately what I want to be doing," he added. "Everyone is trying to impress, and hopefully we can start the season off well.
"We've lost two great defenders in Rio and Nemanja, but that's football and we move on. We've got good players to replace them, and hopefully we can all step up."