Phil Jones is firm on his decision to stay at Manchester United and is determined to play regulary under Jose Mourinho.

There was some interest in Jones from Arsenal and Stoke City after he was removed from the first three matchday squads of the Premier League games.

Jones, who joined United under Sir Alex Ferguson five years ago, is now 24 and still has time on his side and he intends to put behind his injury woes to play competitive football , something which he hasn't managed to do since January 2.

Ups and Downs

Jones spoke to JD Football and described how his five years so far have had "ups and downs" for him, he spoke about how the perfect start in saying that, "It started off really well and winning the league in my second season was a dream."

At international level, Jones is pleased to see that he has "managed to play at a World Cup, been at the Euros" and altogether played over a 100 games in the course of these five years. While he concedes that it is not "as many as I'd have liked," he hopes to kick on under Jose.

Jones didn't play much football last season and therefore believes that it is "important" for him to stay fit and give himself "an edge" at the start of the campaign and come back fit and strong.

Phil spoke about how he set targets for himself each season, "I've started seasons off and set this goal and that goal, and I want to do this and I want to do that."

And now all he wants to do this season, is to play football and "enjoy it," he wants to "play games and win things" and hopes that this year the team can do just that.

New manager, Different mentality

If Jose does decide to sign another defender, it would effectively make Jones, his fifth choice centre back. He would be behind Daley Blind, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling in the pecking order for the starting positions in Jose's team

Jones spoke brightly about working under Mourinho and said that Jose has "different inputs, different methods" but agrees that so far, "it's been really good." 

Phil also described the mood around the club as a very happy and positive one and says that "It's been enjoyable and there's a freshness about the place." 

He also spoke about how as "time progresses," they will understand how Jose wants them to play and the kind of role he wants them to play in the team.

And lastly, he hopes that the whole team can build "a great partnership, a good term and have a successful season" ahead.

Jones has a tough task ahead, cracking the partnership of Bailly and Blind seems a difficult task for Smalling alone, but if the Englishman wants to stay and fight, Mourinho might just give him his chance to impress and make a statement, with the squad having good depth in-quality now, Jones can be assured of quality game time.