Phil Jones: Ready for a variety of challenges in pre-season

Phil Jones believes Manchester United will benefit from playing a variety of different opponents during their pre-season tour of the United States.

Louis van Gaal's side are taking part in the International Champions Cup where they will take on Mexican side Club America, MLS outfit San Jose Earthquakes and European giants Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

It is a challenge that Jones believes is important as United look to build on last season's fourth-place finish when the new campaign starts in August.

"I think that's why we mix the pre-season games up, to test yourself against different types of opponents that you are going to face in the Premier League," he told ManUtd.com and MUTV.

"Every game is different. People play different ways and different styles of football so it'll be good to have those tests - we're looking forward to that.

"We've got to get up to sharpness quickly, that's what pre-season is all about, but these are not just ordinary games. They're big games that you want to play in and you want to win."

The defender, who this week signed a new deal to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2019, also praised the improving quality of the MLS and is anticipating a good game against the Earthquakes as well as insisting United will go toe-to-toe with Barcelona and PSG.

"The league in the States is growing and growing all the time. They are producing more players and there are European players going over there towards the end of their careers and relishing it," Jones added.

"The MLS is getting better and better, and San Jose Earthquakes will be midway through their season when we play them so it'll be a very difficult test for us, but that's what we need.

"Barcelona and PSG are top quality sides, we know the quality they've got, but I'm sure we'll give as good as we get."

Watch San Jose Earthquakes in MLS action away to Portland Timbers at 10pm on Sunday night live on Sky Sports 1 HD. You can also watch selected International Champions Cup fixtures on Sky Sports, starting with LA Galaxy v Club America on Sunday, July 12.