Phil Jones identifies where Man United should strengthen

Phil Jones identifies where Man United should strengthen & explains how Euros aftermath will open the door for youngsters to follow in Kobbie Mainoo's footsteps this summer

• "Listen, we've finished the season on a high... that win against Man City in the cup final was a massive game for us. Everyone went into that game thinking we'd turn up and just get rolled over, but it wasn't to be. I think we showed in that game, a level of maturity, and controlled aggression, that we should be looking to build on."
• "You know, we can't be sitting here reeling off excuse after excuse; we're Manchester United and we've got to do better."
• "Losing Raphael Varane is going to be a big miss, with his experience - and I think that the club will probably respond by bringing in another centre-half in. Probably someone around 23 or 24; I don't think they'll go down the route of signing another massively experienced, 28 or 30-year-old centre-half."
• [On Jadon Sancho] "It's an easy one for me; I think it's about managing the player, and understanding him as an individual. That's how you get the best out of Jadon."
• "It's up to the club to manage, and it's up to him to decide where his future lies. But he's definitely someone that I'd be getting straight back into the club."
• "Obviously, players at the Euros will be coming back later, which might give the young lads an opportunity to go and stake a claim in pre-season. At very least, if they can impress, they'd be putting themselves in the shop window for potential loan moves next season, to really start to ignite their careers."
• "I don't want to put too much pressure on these boys, because it's unfair at this stage. However, there are some very talented players in that squad, who have got a great chance of having good careers in the game, whether that's at United or elsewhere."
  
  

Man United's season has been difficult. Every up and every down has been so well documented. We've not had a great season; there have been certain games where we've looked poor, but then there have been certain games where we've looked really, really good. But, at times, we've maybe not had the credit we've deserved, because of poorer performances before and after those games. 

Look, at a club like United, especially when you're going through a difficult period, the knives are often out before you've even kicked a ball. That's part and parcel of playing for the club. 

Listen, we've finished the season on a high... that win against Man City in the cup final was a massive game for us. Everyone had written us off, everyone went into that game thinking we'd turn up and just get rolled over, but it wasn't to be. I think we showed in that game, a level of maturity, and controlled aggression, that we should be looking to build on. It's about sustaining that level now. 

Unfortunately, there have been a few pieces of the jigsaw that have been missing this season, for one reason or another. Yes, it's been well documented that we've had a lot of injuries, and it's been difficult to have a sustained set of eleven players that you go with. It's been difficult, there's no doubt about that. But there's no excuses, at the same time. You know, we can't be sitting here reeling off excuse after excuse; we're Manchester United and we've got to do better. But I'm hoping that the great end to the season is a catalyst for us to take into the summer, and we can come out challenging again next season. 

Losing Raphael Varane is going to be a big miss, with his experience - and I think that the club will probably respond by bringing in another centre-half in. Probably someone around 23 or 24; I don't think they'll go down the route of signing another massively experienced, 28 or 30-year-old centre-half, I think they'll go for a younger one.

I also think Man United definitely need someone else up-front, to come in and help Rasmus Hojlund out, who is going to chip in with 15-20 goals a season. And I just wonder whether they look at bringing in a number six to bolster that midfield a little bit. 

But who knows what the club are going to do; that's up to the manager, the board and the owners. But, listen, United are always going to be in the market for the biggest and best players, simply because of the size of the club. People will say it's not the same United as old, but the club will always attract the best players... it's just fact, and it can't be denied. So I'm hoping they can bring in a few names who can really bolster the squad and get the club back into the Champions League. 

Of course, you've got Jadon Sancho coming back to the club this season, and when you look at the performances he's put in for Borussia Dortmund over the last few months, if you're asking whether you'd put that player in the Man United team... absolutely you would. It's an easy one for me; I think it's about managing the player, and understanding him as an individual. That's how you get the best out of Jadon. 

Jadon's at his best on the pitch when he's happy off it. He's an incredible player who I've played both with and against. And the way he can drive at players, and ghost past them like they're not even there... he's brilliant. If we can get the Jadon Sancho that we've seen at Dortmund, back at Man United, then he'll almost be like a new signing in himself.  

Again, though, that's up to the club to manage, and it's up to him to decide where his future lies. But he's definitely someone that I'd be getting straight back into the club.

Kobbie [Mainoo] is a great example to youngsters in the game, particularly at Manchester United. It's not just him, by the way. I think Ethan Wheatley was recently the 250th academy graduate to make his debut for United's first-team... United will always bring youngsters through, there's no question about that. They're not afraid to give chances to youth players, if they've got the ability and the mental capacity to be in and around the first-team, and the ability to handle all of the pressure that comes with that.

I really do think the future is bright for United, and fans can definitely look forward to a few more players coming through... maybe they get a chance in pre-season. Obviously, players at the Euros will be coming back later, which might give the young lads an opportunity to go and stake a claim in pre-season. At very least, if they can impress, they'd be putting themselves in the shop window for potential loan moves next season, to really start to ignite their careers.

I'm always reluctant to single out the names of youngsters, because I just go back to when I was a kid and people were saying all kinds of things about me! I don't want to put too much pressure on these boys, because it's unfair at this stage. However, there are some very talented players in that squad, who have got a great chance of having good careers in the game, whether that's at United or elsewhere. I've seen so many quality players this season who, with a little bit more nurturing and a little bit more education on the game, could go really far. 

Ladbrokes has published an article looking at the betting odds for each of the nations competing in Euro 2024, starting with the favourites England and ending with Georgia, who have been priced at 500/1.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.