<h3 style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>Manchester United defender Phil Jones is relishing the prospect of having to fight for his starting place after a wave of high-calibre new signings at Old Trafford and the possibility of more to follow.</em></strong></h3> <p style="text-align: justify"></p> <p style="text-align: justify">The England international believes the arrival of Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin has left United poised to challenge for silverware after a two-year trophy drought.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But the recent additions to Louis van Gaal's squad have effectively narrowed Jones's options as the 23-year-old aims to cement his place in United's new-look starting line-up.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Darmian's signing has shunted him down the pecking order at right-back while the glut of midfield options means he is unlikely to have any future as a holding player in front of the back four.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">It means Jones has only one realistic position to aim for -- the right side of central defence -- and even that could be in jeopardy if United's reported pursuit of Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos comes off.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Nevertheless, Jones is adamant that he welcomes the internal jostling for a starting berth. "It's great," Jones said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"That's what you relish as a footballer. You want to test yourself against the best players you can play with.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We've got that this year and I look forward to it.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Competition's healthy, it's good for players. If one player's doing well it makes the other person want to do well.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"That's exactly what you need, especially at a club like Manchester United.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We're always going to sign top players because we're a top club."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Jones lined up alongside Dutch international Daley Blind in United's back four in the opening game of their four-match US tour on Friday in Seattle, with van Gaal later explaining he would seek a centre-back pairing a right-sided player and a left-sided player.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Jones would not be drawn on possible partnerships United could field this season.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Listen, it's up to the manager who plays week in, week out," he said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"I'm just going to try and do my best and hopefully that'll be good enough."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Jones meanwhile enthused about the immediate impact of United's new signings, and warned the squad was confident of challenging for the title.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"They look bright, they look sharp, they're great lads and fantastic additions to the squad," Jones said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Asked about targeting the Premier League, he added: "That's the aim. We've got the squad now to be able to do that and there's no reason why we can't."</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">United play the second match of their tour against the San Jose Earthquakes at San Jose's Avaya Stadium on Tuesday.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>