Manchester United transfer rumours: Phil Jagielka makes no sense whatsoever

Everton's Phil Jagielka is a fine footballer. And the England international has been a tremendous servant to David Moyes. However, the speculation of the central-defender following his former manager to Old Trafford makes no sense whatsoever.

First of all, assuming that Rio Ferdinand is given a new contract in the upcoming weeks, Manchester United have no need to bring in another center-back this summer. Rio and captain Nemanja Vidic might no longer be at the peak of their powers, however, both defenders are still playing at an incredibly high level these days. Rio has just been deservedly named into the PFA's team of the year while Vida has returned in spectacular fashion by being his old dominant self in this season's latter half.

Rio and Vida certainly need to be carefully looked after because of their age and injury history. However, United can do this by selectively rotating them -- something Sir Alex Ferguson did very well this season -- because they have three quality young central-defenders in Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, and Phil Jones. Evans, in particular, has been one of the best defenders in England the past two seasons and he's been brilliant in some of United's biggest games as of late. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman was superb against Real Madrid and his all-around abilities -- he consistently wins challenges, his positioning is terrific, and his ability on the ball is very good -- makes him ideal for battles both on the domestic and European front. If either Rio or Vida is unavailable for a big game, Evans is more than capable of deputising -- perhaps he even deserves to be first-choice.

Having three accomplished and experienced center-backs ahead of the 23-year-old Smalling and 21-year-old Jones is still probably a good thing for their developments. Smalling has flashed his potential at various times -- both for United and England -- but consistency has been a slight issue for him. He's likely not quite ready for a full-time role and him being depth feels like an appropriate role for him going into next season. Smalling still needs to improve before he's entrusted with more responsibility at United. He is, though, a tremendous fourth or fifth option at center-back.

The versatile Jones has had an impressive first two seasons at the Theatre of Dreams. He claims center-back is his future -- and it might be -- but he's been important as depth at right-back and in tactical roles in central-midfield as a man-marker and as a destroyer. If United don't bring in a physically-imposing central-midfielder this summer -- one like Moyes' current midfield general Marouane Fellaini -- then Jones will have a role to play in the center of the park next season. However, he will also be a tremendous fourth or fifth choice at center-back. United are well-stocked in this position.

Jagielka is set to take over for Phil Neville as captain at Everton -- and it's an appropriate role for him. The Englishman should be able to bridge the transition from Moyes to whoever is named the next boss of the Toffees. Jagielka, though, would not be a prudent buy for United. And remember, he's also 30-years-old -- his link to Old Trafford just does not make sense on many levels.

Moyes is inheriting a very good squad, but it does have needs. However, a 30-year-old center-back -- one that arguably is not an improvement on any of the five current ones on the squad -- is not one. Jagielka to United makes no sense whatsoever -- hopefully the club is fully aware of this.