Is Phil Jones capable of playing the "Makalele role"?

He's a tad different though, he's more in a Roy Keane type mold if you're comparing him to someone like that.

Carrick is slightly more Makelele like out of the two, but United don't have a Makelele type midfielder.

I think Carrick and Jones could be an excellent balance in midfield if Jones could improve on his passing and box to box play. Also Kagawa/Rooney playing in front of them, with Januzaj and Valencia and RvP up front actually looks like the basis of a good team. However the balance may be a bit disjointed.

He was excellent last night and is a very good defensive midfielder. However he is a much better centre back and needs to play there long term.

I think once we sign a quality midfielder or 2, hopefully in Jan but maybe in the summer, then he will be played much more at centre half.

That role needs a LOT more tactical awareness than Jones currently possesses ....or will ever possess?I don't know,he doesn't seem like the sort of player who will.I think he's more suited to be a more defensive box to box midfielder because he has a good engine and is decent defensively.I think that's the role Wenger wanted him to play when he tried to buy him.I think you're exaggerating his ability too there.I don't remember his previous performances but against Arsenal he had like 4 players to help him control Ozil.Everytime Arsenal attacked United would form a wall of men to defend against them.Jones didn't really stand out.

Phil Jones will make a great center back.But he doesn't have the same skills with the ball that is needed to be a defensive midfielder,But i do think this little stint of him playing at CDM will eventually help him become an even better CB one day. The Makelele had exceptional positional sense even though his other abilities were limited compared to players like Keane and Viera.

Michael Carrick does almost the same role for us now.The deep lying playmaker-Makelele was perhaps one of the first of his kind.

If you mean defensive mid, then I guess he's showing he can be quite decent at it. I'm not concerned about his development as a centre back, but playing as a midfielder would certainly develop him as a player with aspects like passing, vision, etc. That would make him a more well-rounded centre-back, I suppose.

You know mate that exact what I say to pipo jones is gonna be the best defensive mid give him a season or two, I didn't really watch yesterday game but against leverkusen he was brilliant if only moyes don't mess around with the line up alot united would be doing alot better in tha league, even fergie said jones will turn world class and you know when fergie speak it the truth even with the gerrard issue gerrard is shite

I think the future of football lies in all midfielders either having a great technical ability or playing the passmaster role (e.g. Carrick, Arteta, Westwood, Britton) I think because of this, his future is as a centre back.

He lacks the positional sense and intelligence to play that role. He's better as a destroyer who uses his energy to close people down and generally be a pest. However, most top teams will find a solution to that.

Don't think Jones is all that tbh - his abilities are all very 'British', and those sort of abilities are well known to fail at the top level.

Lol Cancelling attacking threats by CR7 ??? Nigga please CR7 Elimated United don't you remember he's 2 Goals?????!! Lol

He's an ok player has potential but don't ever say he can be like makalele.. He's not world class yet.. Give him more time... I don't like him at all! Him and cleverly and overrated period!