Phil Jones is aware his budding Manchester United partnership with Chris Smalling has not quite clicked.
The duo were being tipped to take the mantle from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as United's next central defensive duo but injuries and form have restricted them to just a handful of matches together over the past few years.
After coming together for the past two Premier League fixtures - both wins - Jones is determined to build on the impressive pair of displays at club level after the international break with the England squad in which the twosome are involved.
"It has been difficult for us," said Jones.
"It had been documented that me and Chris were going to be the next centre-backs at United but it has not gone how we would have liked it.
"Somebody told me the other day that we have actually only played alongside each other about four times in four seasons.
"You cannot build a partnership on four games.
"Hopefully now we have had back-to-back games together we can keep it going and keep playing well together. We complement each other well."
