Phil Jones surprised by Manchester United start

Phil Jones has admitted that he has been surprised by the number of appearances that he has made for Manchester United this season.

The 19-year-old joined the Red Devils during the summer from Blackburn Rovers for a reported fee of £16.5m.

He has since gone on to feature 22 times for his new club, a target that Jones had set himself for the entire season.

"I didn't think it was going to go as well as this," Jones told the Manchester Evening News.

"I hoped it would be as good as this but I thought I would have to spend a few times on the bench. I prepared myself to be frustrated, not because I expected to play every game but because I am young and want to play football.

"I said to myself before the start of the season that if I made 20-25 appearances, whether on the bench or starting, I would be reasonably happy. And I have done that already."

The England international has scored two goals in all competitions for United.