Pre-Season
After playing a large part in Euro 2016 for England, Chris Smalling did not feature at all for Manchester United in the pre-season. The England center back was on holiday after the disappointing showing by the Three Lions in the tournament.
Start of the Season
The big defender did not get his first start until the Europa League match against Feyenoord. He spent most of August trying to regain his fitness as he missed the pre-season friendlies. He nodded in a goal against Leicester City when United thrashed the side 4-1. Smalling did not have a very good first half of the season and his worst performance came in the 4-0 defeat to Chelsea. After that match, he did not feature again until the middle of December where he played well as the first half of the season winded down.
Mid-Season
Smalling featured often for the Red Devils after the start of the year and even added a goal against Wigan and an assist against Leicester City. Smalling solidified himself and Jose Mourinho’s lineup and seemed to have regained his form from last season. Along with his teammate Phil Jones, Smalling was injured on international duty and missed the end of March and all of April for the Red Devils. United had an injury crisis in the back after these injuries.
End of the Season
Smalling regained fitness for the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals and came on in the dying seconds of the game. He got his first start back in the defeat to Arsenal and played all 90 minutes. He impressed Mourinho and was able to start in the Europa League final where he assisted Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal to seal the final.
Overall Stats
The Englishman featured 36 times for United this season and was able to contribute 2 goals and 2 assists on the year. Smalling had a few injuries that held him back but after a rough start to the season, he was able to regain his form and help keep a numerous amount of clean sheets. Next season, Smalling will have to stay healthy and show he can be a leader under Jose Mourinho.