Phil Jones in squad

By Chris,
August 28 2011

Five Manchester United players have been named in Fabio Capello’s England squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales. Defender Phil Jones gets his first call-up for the national side, with Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and uncapped duo Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling all named in the squad. 

19-year-old Jones has been named in Capello’s squad after a tremendous start to life at Old Trafford.

Fellow centre-half Smalling is also named in the squad. He has been named in a squad by Capello before, but did not get on the pitch as England lost 2-1 to France.

Despite having made only three career league appearances for United, Cleverley is also named. He will also be hoping to earn his first cap for his country.

The 22-year-old was included in Capello’s squad for August’s friendly against the Netherlands, only for the game to be postponed due to rioting on the streets of London.

Capello’s decision to include three uncapped United players for crucial qualification fixtures is testimony to the level of performance all three have delivered at club level so far this season.

Young has been on stunning form for United since his summer move from Aston Villa, scoring two spectacular goals in United’s 8-2 thrashing of Arsenal on Sunday. The winger will be looking to add to his 15 England caps against Wales and Bulgaria.

Rooney, meanwhile, will be hoping his stunning goalscoring form for the Red Devils transcends onto the international scene. He is one of five forwards in the squad.

There is no place in the England squad for Rio Ferdinand.

Danny Welbeck was hoping for a call-up, but any chance of that faded as he picked up an injury during United’s thumping of the Gunners.

Rivals Manchester City have six players named in the squad, including goalkeeper Joe Hart and midfielder Gareth Barry.