RITCHIE Jones may have spent his formative football years at Manchester United, but now the midfielder is looking to forge a career for himself at Hartlepool United.

After being at Old Trafford since the age of nine, the 21- year-old swapped life at the world’s biggest club for League One and Victoria Park this summer.

But there are no regrets and Jones is realistic enough to appreciate just how hard making the grade at his former club can be.

“I played more cup games than Premier League games at United,’’ he said. “I was on the bench a few times in the Premier League but started five or six cup games and it was a great experience.

“Now I’ve come here to really get my career started and try to get first-team football.

That’s my aim now.

“It’s not easy, I was on loan last season in League One and it’s quite physical and at a good tempo. I just want to play week in, week out and get on that teamsheet. Hopefully I can get a few more goals as well.

“I was released by United and you tend to wonder where to go next. But I like to think I have confidence in my game, I just want to play and get a good run of games.’’ Jones, who attracted interest from today’s opponents Tranmere before moving to Pools, revealed: “The manager at Old Trafford wished me all the best and said he hoped I would go on and enjoy my career, which was really nice of him.

“There are world-class players in that team and to get a place in it you have to be world class.

“It’s not easy to get ahead of the likes of Scholes and Hargreaves.

“Now, though, I am a Hartlepool United player and I just want to make the most of the chance I’ve been given.’’ Jones, an England international from under-15 through to under-20 level, sat out the midweek win over Scunthorpe with a rib injury.

He will return to the starting XI at Prenton Park this afternoon, where he aims to build on last weekend’s encouraging debut.

A goal and an assist in the 4-2 win over Colchester got him off to a good start.

“It was nice to get a goal on my debut, but the 11 lads out there as a team were superb,’’ he s a i d .

“Everyone worked so h a r d , from the s t a r t t h r o u g h the second half, everyo n e w o r k e d t h e i r socks off.

“ P r e - s e a s o n has been h a r d , we’ve had a lot of games and some tough ones as well. But it’s done us all some good and now the real thing starts.

“They (Colchester) have come down from the Championship and we knew it was going to be a tough task, but our aim this season is to get up there at the top end and get promotion.’’ A central midfielder by trade, Jones was a suprise pick on the right flank, and he admitted: “I played out wide and it was a little bit new for me as well.

“I like being in the middle of midifeld, but I play out wide as well and I really enjoyed it.

“I linked up with (Antony) Sweeney and he is quality – he’s got a lot of energy and he will run up and down all day, I’m sure we can help each other out and work well together.

I don’t mind doing the defensive work out there, I spent a lot of time sitting deep in the second half when we were in control and it’s something we all have to do.’’ Godwin Antwi has started the season as Rovers’ right back after moving on loan from Liverpool.

After spending last season at Victoria Park, the defender is continuing his football education in League One.

He’s had an uneasy start and has been criticised for his role in Rovers’ two defeats, but boss Ronnie Moore said: “It’s unfair to single someone out in two games. People react too quickly.

“He hasn’t been brilliant, but he’s a young lad and he will get better. It’s a learning curve for all the young players.”