Webchat: Phil Jones

ManUtd.com hosted an exclusive live webchat with United defender Phil Jones at Carrington on Thursday, 17 November.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a question either before or during the webchat. Sorry that Phil couldn't answer them all - we received thousands!

Signed shirt winner: Phil felt the best question was, "If you were asked to play in a World XI at centre-back, who would you like the other three defenders in the line-up to be?" The fan who asked it, Ryan Walters from Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales, will receive a United shirt signed by Phil himself. Congratulations Ryan.

The questions and answers below are in reverse order, the last question appearing first.

Thanks for your time, Phil. Here's the final question - which is your favourite goal that United have scored so far this season? Kyriacos Theocharides, Nicosia, Cyprus

Nani's goal against Chelsea was a good one, where he bashed it into the top corner. But I'll say the second goal in the Community Shield because it involved about five players and it was a great finish.

I am number 4 for my team too! Is there any reason behind why you chose it? Fatik Khan, India

I didn't choose the number. I was given it. I wasn't bothered, really. A number's a number at the end of the day. I could be 99 and it wouldn't bother me. It doesn't mean you're any higher or lower in the pecking order.

Is it difficult to switch between playing in a friendly international in midweek to playing a competitive game for United a few days later? Stephen Carr, Dundalk, Ireland

No. It's football and it's what I do. It's my job. You always have to adapt to different situations. It's a natural switch. Anyway, no international game is ever a friendly. I still go out and give 100 per cent every time I'm on the pitch.

Which three words would you use to describe your personality?Pu Zhang, Spain

Cheerful, fearless and optimistic.

What was it like meeting Sir Alex for the first time? Julie Hutcheon, UK

It was in Seattle, on the US Tour. He came over, I shook his hand and we talked for about 10 minutes. I was really nervous. He was great, though, and he's been fantastic to me since he's been here. When you see him on television you think to yourself, 'I wouldn't like to cross him!', but at Carrington he's relaxed and chilled and you can have a laugh with him.

What kind of a rush do you get when you are playing a game and in which ground do you get the biggest buzz? Reece Timmins, UK

Old Trafford and Wembley are great. You get shivers down the back of your neck when you walk out at those grounds. I don't get really nervous. I get a few butterflies but I'm not a nervous person. When I do get nervous, I just think: 'Calm down. I'm going out, I'm kicking a ball around and then I'm going home.' That's how I look at it.

Which team-mate is the toughest to play against in training? Dan Lear, Bristol, UK

Nani. He's tricky. If he makes me look silly though, I usually give him a little pinch on the back of the arm!

Which upcoming youth players do you think have a big chance in breaking through to the first team?Tyrone Wright, Manchester, UK

Let's be honest, there are a lot of very talented players in our youth and rokeserve teams. I think Will Keane is a good player. Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison are top as well. Larnell Cole and Zeki Fryers look good as well. Those are the guys who have stood our for me when we played Aldershot and when I watched them at Leeds. They sometimes come and train with us as well. To be fair, all the young lads at the club are talented. If they weren't they wouldn't be here.

Where is you favourite holiday destination?Sameer Varma, India

I'd have to say Dubai. There are loads of shops, nice hotels and good restaurants, and good weather. You can go on safari adventures, you can go up the tallest building... It's nice.

Are you worried that your versatility could count against you and stop you making one position your own?Gareth Robins, Carterton, UK

No, not at all. I think versatility is always an advantage. It allows you to play more. I don't see how it could be a disadvantage. Hopefully in time I'll nail down a regular place in a set position. For now, though, I'm just happy to play football.

Who are the team jokers off the pitch at United, and have you been the victim of any pranks yet?Kevin Kevin, USA

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney are the main ones. They try and make me the victim but it always backfires. I make a swift exit.

If you were able to celebrate your birthday anywhere you wanted, where would you do it? Fariz Attamimi, Singapore

Las Vegas. I'm going there for my 21st in 2013 and I can't wait.

If you were going to give advice for somebody who wants to make it in football, what would your top five tips be? Robert Ormson, Runcorn

You have to be focused and you have to know what you want. You have to make a lot of sacrifices. It's not easy when you're growing up to stay in when all your mates are going out. That's tough. You also have to be prepared to give absolutely everything. You can't give 50 per cent or even 99 per cent - you have to give everything you've got when you're on the pitch and on the training ground.

What has been your favourite moment in a Manchester United shirt so far? Luke Joyce, Sutton Coldfield

My favourite moment was probably winning the Community Shield. I'd never won a competitive trophy before. That was really nice and probably my favourite moment so far. I've had a lot of good moments so far but that was probably the best one. I thought to myself at Wembley: 'I've been here two minutes and I've already got a trophy.' I used to think, 'I can't stand that club when they always score in the last minute.' But now I love it. I'm not complaining one bit.

Do you have any pre-match rituals? Shanker Vasu, Malaysia

Yeah. This sounds really stupid... but it depends on whether we're home or away. The fixtures list United on the left when we're at home and on the right when we're away. So this weekend I'll put my right sock on first because it will be Swansea v United. Next week, if I play against Benfica at Old Trafford, I'll put my left sock on. Also, when I walk onto the pitch, I'll take the first step across the white line with the foot that corresponds to whether we're home or away. This will sound proper over-the-top, but you know when you go to a hotel room and there are two towels hanging down? When I was on international duty last week, I picked the towel on the left because we were at home against Spain. I know it's weird but I can't help myself. Nobody knows about it so nobody has ever noticed... although I guess the secret's out now.

It's injury time... which would you rather do, score the winner or stop a goalbound shot?Aakash Karia, London, UK

Either way you're going to be the hero. But, taking into consideration the fact that I haven't scored a competitive goal in my career yet, I'd have to say score a goal. And then run out of the stadium.

As we all know you're a very versatile player. Which do you consider to be your best position and is there any position you can't play in? Mark Noble, Ipswich, UK

I used to play right midfield when I was younger. I also played striker when I was younger. The only positions I've never played in are left midfield, left-back and goalkeeper. My favourite position is centre-back and I think that's where I'll end up as my career develops. The bottom line is that I enjoy playing football and I'll play anywhere. I think I'd be decent in goal, to be fair. I'd fling myself around a lot.

What's your favourite TV programme? Jake Forte, Beziers, UK

I don't have one. I like watching MTV Cribs, Family Guy... I'm not really into soaps or X-Factor or Big Brother. I do like The Only Way Is Essex and I liked The InBetweeners when that was on. I don't like I'm A Celebrity, either. Why would I want to sit and put myself through watching people eat disgusting food?

In your short time at Old Trafford what different things have you learned about your game?Mark Hughes, Manchester

I think I've come on a lot. Not that I wasn't technically good before - I was reasonable - but when you're training with these guys every day you're bound to improve. My feet have quickened, I can shift the ball a lot quicker. And the more I keep training with these guys the better I'll get. I'm looking forward to that.

If you were to score the winner in a Champions League final what would your goal celebration be like? Danny Spittle, Stourbridge, UK

I'm not sure but it would probably be worthy of a yellow card (laughs)! I'd probably jump into the crowd, take my top off, slide on my knees... I'd probably run out of the ground and then come back in again. I have no idea... that would be amazing, though.

What do you remember about your first day at United? Georgian-Sorin Maxim, Denmark

It was in Seattle. I remember coming in with the other Under-21 lads - Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley. The team had been training and we were sitting in the lunch room eating. Then the squad came in and shook my hand and introduced themselves. I was nervous. Who wouldn't be? I was meeting all these players I'd grown up watching.

Did the older players in the squad make you do any sort of initiation ceremony when you joined the club? Erik Jonsson, Sweden

They didn't, no. I got away with it! They were all telling me I'd have to do a song. I just told them I wasn't doing one. I probably would have done it if they'd made me. What would I have sung? I'd have probably sung something like The Script's The Man Who Can't Be Moved.

What does it feel like being compared to Duncan Edwards and being touted as the captain of England one day?Jason Ho, Manchester, UK

It's incredible to hear people saying that. To be mentioned in the same sentence as Duncan Edwards is a huge honour. He was playing well before my time but I certainly knew about him growing up. It inspires me to go on and become a better player. It makes me want to work even harder in training. As for the England captaincy, it's nice as well. But I need to keep my feet on the ground and play well for Manchester United. Then I'll keep getting the chance to play for England. If I could captain England one day then I think that would be the pinnacle of my career.

Phil, who has impressed you the most at United since you joined the club? Luke Clark, UK

It would be horrible for me to single out one individual player because there are so many talented footballers here. Everybody's good in their own different, talented way. Some people have quick feet and are skilful, others have their own talents. But Giggs probably stands out the most, just because of how physically fit he is. He just keeps on going. You'd never believe how old he is. I'm not calling him old, by the way! He's still young, but his desire to keep playing and keep winning is incredible.

Do you have any fears or phobias? Alan Flatley, Kilkelly, Ireland

When I go abroad I can't go in lifts. I don't mind it in England but I can't do it when I go away. When I was young we went away on holiday to Greece and we got stuck in a lift for a few hours. It was horrible. I felt so claustrophobic.

If you were asked to play in a World XI at centre-back, who would you like the other three defenders in the line-up to be? Ryan Walters, Tenby, UK

Wow, that's a tricky one. Good question. At left-back I'll choose Roberto Carlos. At right-back we'll go with Dani Alves. Alongside me in the middle I'll say Gerard Pique. That would be a good back four.

How does it feel to have made such an impact in such a short period of time at the club?John Alexander, Northern Ireland

It's nice. I probably didn't expect for it to happen this quickly but I'm loving every minute of it. I love playing football and hopefully it can continue if I keep playing well.

How does playing for Manchester United compare to playing for Blackburn Rovers? Nicola Rea, Preston, UK

Obviously the standard of football is different - that's no disrepect to Blackburn as they were fantastic to me. But playing with better players makes you a better player. The tempo we play at is a lot quicker and the fan base at United is ridiculously huge. It's massive all over the world. Even now, we're probably gettig questions in from people in 80 different countries in the world.

As a footballer do you set your goals short or long term? Theodosis Charalambous, Cyprus

I think you always have a long-term goal in the back of your mind. You want to be the best you can be. But I tend to set short-term goals because they're more achievable.

What do you want for Christmas?
Shaun Birch, Stroud

My mum keeps asking me this! I don't know. This is going to sound like I'm about 40 but I want some nice paintings and pictures to put around my house. House things... ornaments, tables, chairs. Stuff like that. I've got an obsession with clocks. I've got a pool table and a massive circular one just behind it. I do like watches, too, but I've only just started to get into them.

What is the best thing about Manchester?Robert Hatton, Warrington, UK

Manchester's a great city. It's got shops and nice restaurants as well as quiet places to go. My favourite restaurants are Wings, Gaucho Grill, Piccolinis, San Carlo... I went to Rosso's, Rio's place, and it was fantastic. I had lamb shank and it was to die for. The meat just capitulated off the bone...

If you play the FIFA / Pro Evo video game do you put yourself in defence, midfield or even up front? Richard Fry, Burghclere, UK

I'm a FIFA man. All day. I don't use myself on FIFA - I'm too slow! If I do pick myself I play at centre-back. I didn't really get involved in FIFA on the US tour because I'd just joined the club, but I remember playing with Rio Ferdinand once and we won. Wayne Rooney thinks he's the FIFA god but I think he's all talk, no action. I played Danny Welbeck the other day and he's currently 6-5 up in terms of games. But I'd like to put it on record that I'm the bestFIFA player at the club. I have the finger co-ordination to be the best at this club (on PS3, not X-Box).

You seem to have settled in quickly at United. Has playing with Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling at international level helped you in this?Arman Zamanzadeh, Iran

Yeah, absolutely. I knew them well from the Under-21s setup and grew up with them in that age group. We knew each other's game and we understood each other. It's also nice to come into the club and know you can speak to somebody straight away and not be shy or nervous. Coming to a club like Manchester United can be nerve-wracking but I settled in straight away. Everybody - players and staff - have made me feel very welcome