Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has revealed that he is enjoying his football at the Old Trafford side after making a strong start to the season.
Smalling, 25, has started each and every game so far and his performances have justified that with United conceding just one goal from their opening four games.
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That goal came against Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifier last week but other than that Louis van Gaal’s side have looked solid as a rock. Its rare that United have been more solid in defence than they have been in the final third but that’s the case so far with Wayne Rooney struggling to find the net for United heading into September.
Smalling and his team mates have been good in front of goalkeeper Sergio Romero and its encouraging with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo still to come back. And the England international is enjoying his start to the season so far and is relishing the dominant central defensive role – an area Rio Ferdinand praised him about on BT Sport this weekend.
"Smalling said, as reported by Manchester Evening News: “I have always liked that competition with the striker and obviously Daley (Blind) is not that sort of centre-back who is going to dominate, so it’s a case of I take that mantle on and I am enjoying it.“I wouldn’t say I hadn’t done it previously in games because I feel like I bullied quite a few players in matches.“But it’s a case of making sure there is that consistency and, hopefully, I can get that consistency where it can be on show every week.“I feel like I am playing well and I am enjoying my football.”"
So far United have been hit with no fresh injuries and its a surprise with the side having over 40 injuries by the time Christmas arrived last season.
And that has meant Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Blind have all played alongside Smalling and the defender believes that is helping the side with consistency the key.
"“It is good to keep playing each game and knowing that there are not too many changes at the moment because we are doing well, so I hope to keep that up.“It’s comfortable playing next to Daley.“Sometimes if there is a big opponent we will swap around. But he can handle himself as well so I am enjoying playing alongside him.“He has played at wing-back and full-back as well. All across the back four, they can look after themselves – Luke (Shaw), (Matteo) Darmian as well.”More from Manchester United NewsAaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injurySofyan Amrabat set to miss game against BrightonPreview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to knowJadon Sancho set to train away from first team squadMike Phelan blasts Manchester United teammates over Ronaldo exit"
Van Gaal’s men have won three of their four games this season with the 0-0 draw against Newcastle United a slight set back. However, on Wednesday the Red Devils have a huge game in Belgium as they try and secure Champions League football. And that result will play a huge part in United’s season and Smalling added the side need to focus on that.
"“We haven’t got a full week to feel sorry for ourselves, we are disappointed about the Newcastle game but the good thing is we now have arguably the biggest game of the season. We will turn our attentions to that and we will take a lot of our positives from the first game when we played Brugge here,” added Smalling."