Smalling Quietly Makes His Mark

We turn the spotlight on an in-form United player. Here, we assess the quietly impressive recent performances of Reds defender Chris Smalling...

Status Since arriving at Old Trafford from Fulham in 2010, Chris Smalling has had to be patient for regular opportunities at the heart of the Reds' defence, his most natural position, as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic ruled the roost. Previously, injuries or rest time for those two experienced men offered up game time in his favoured role, while outings at right-back were gladly totted up. Smalling displayed his adaptability during the clean sheet display against Arsenal, starting in the centre and moving out to the right when Rafael's injury brought Ferdinand into the fray. Injuries at key times during three-and-a-half years as a Red stymied his involvement, but he has matured physically and professionally and is beginning to shine in his own right, holding down a place in a central position he clearly intends to make his own.

Style Even when stationed out on the flanks Smalling applies himself dutifully, but it's clear the 24-year-old's talents are best placed as a more cerebral centre-half – reading the game, anticipating attacks and positioning himself in the right place to clear up danger with a calmness only top defenders possess. On form, he looks every bit the natural descendent of Rio's regal brand of cultured defending, and that is evidenced as he currently keeps Ferdinand out of the team. Former United and Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham says in our video, "Chris can go as far as he wants to go."

Standout moment He has received two consecutive nominations for ManUtd.com's Player of the Month award and his best recent display came against Cardiff City, keeping livewire former Reds youth starlet Fraizer Campbell in check. The focus that night was all on Juan Mata's debut and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Old Trafford return with his new club, but Smalling's performance typified his recent form: going about his game quietly, confidently and with a touch of class.

Statement of intent "All strikers get hyped so it's nice to keep them quiet. I get a lot of confidence from keeping good players quiet. I enjoy a last-ditch tackle or clearance – if a striker is one-on-one with the goalkeeper or has got in behind the defence and you get back and outmuscle them or slide in, it's a great feeling because the crowd appreciates that." – Chris Smalling, December 2013

Statistics Smalling has started 12 out of United's last 14 games, indicating his prominent standing in the team. And although among seven wins there have been two draws and five defeats, two of those losses were matches he didn't start. He has also contributed to five clean sheets in that spell. Against Cardiff at Old Trafford, he completed 40 out of 42 passes and had impressive defensive figures on tackles (3/3), clearances (10/10) and headed clearances (7/7). As ever with stats, the numbers only tell part of the story; Smalling is emerging as a centre-back of both style and substance.