Smalling Relishes Central Role

Chris Smalling says life is looking up for United in Europe after the Reds registered a first win in Champions League Group C at the third attempt.

The versatile England defender played the full match at centre-back against Otelul Galati, unlike his sidekick Nemanja Vidic who was unfortunate to be sent off just after Wayne Rooney had put the visitors 1-0 up at the National Arena in Bucharest. The Serbian's suspension from the next game, also against Galati at Old Trafford on 2 November, could enable Chris to continue in the role he enjoys the most.

"It was nice [to play at centre-back]," Smalling told MUTV in Romania. "That is my favoured position so it is good to get as many games as I can there. But if I can contribute in whatever way, then I’ll give it my best."

Smalling sympathised with Vidic's plight, saying: "I saw the incident from behind. I didn’t expect the red card. Referees are sometimes more harsh in Europe but I’d have to take another look at it [on TV, to judge it properly]. I think for the first five minutes after we went down to ten men it was a bit frantic but then I think we started to settle down again and control the ball again. Luckily we saw the game out."

The defender felt he had a better view of the attacking magic which eventually enabled United to beat Otelul Galati, who lived up to the players' expectations as stubborn opponents. The Romanians, after all, had only lost 0-1 at home to Benfica and conceded fewer goals to Basel (1-2 away) than the Reds did at Old Trafford last month.

"It was a difficult game. We thought they were going to be hard to break down and they were just that tonight," said Smalling. "We knew we had to be patient. There weren’t too many chances in the first half but we kept pressing and it paid off. We started to penetrate more in the second half and luckily we got the two goals.

"It was great work from Wayne, in and around the box. He and Chicharito were causing problems and with Galati clocking up yellow cards, it was inevitable we would penetrate closer to the goal."

The 2-0 win keeps United on course to qualify for the knockout stages with group leaders Benfica, who beat Basel 2-0 in Switzerland.

"That was a massive game for us tonight. When we play Galati at home next, if we can get another three points then it will look a lot more rosey than it did a week ago."