Smalling Reveals United's Preparations For Inter

Chris Smalling says the Manchester United squad are gaining confidence from new training methods implemented by manager Louis van Gaal.

The Reds have recorded back-to-back victories so far this summer in America, scoring ten goals in the process, and now face a tough test against Italian giants Inter Milan.

Smalling insists that he and his teammates will approach the game in high spirits, saying that thorough preparation has been key to recent victories.

"First we do a lot of video work on the opposing team," Smalling told ManUtd.com. "Then, when we do our 11 versus 11 games in training, one team is set up like the opposition so they will copy their traits and their formation so that, come game day, we're much better prepared to cope with whatever they throw at us.

"You do have to stick to the role you have been asked to play so the whole team can benefit and get a full understanding of what they will face come game day."

Preparation is key, but United have also been putting it to good use in matches with 3-2 and 7-0 wins against AS Roma and LA Galaxy respectively, in turn fuelling belief in the squad.

"Each performance is giving us more confidence and especially with a new formation as well. The wins are not the overriding point in pre-season but they're a big factor in getting our confidence up. We're getting that with each training session and each match.

"We've all seen Inter Milan over the years and we've seen how they played last year and they've got a pretty similar formation to how we're going to play this season so that's going to be quite a test that we've not faced yet."

Ex-Reds captain Nemanja Vidic swapped Manchester for Milan this summer and the former Old Trafford favourite is likely to feature against the Reds' at the FedEx Field in Washington DC. Asked about the prospect of facing Vida, Smalling said he expects a challenge and is relishing the chance to do battle with his former defensive partner, notably at set-pieces.

"It will be weird seeing him in an opposition shirt and he will give us a test as well," he added. "If it does happen I'll look forward to it. I'd like a tussle with him at the set-plays. I'd like to get one past him."

United currently sit top of the table in the International Champions Cup, and face European champions Real Madrid in the final pre-season fixture at the weekend. While the Inter test is foremost in the players' minds, Smalling is looking forward to the Real clash too.

"The Madrid game's going to be a great one. I hear we're going to play in front of 110,000 fans so that'll be a great occasion. They had a terrific season last year so it's good to test ourselves against the top teams in pre-season. We've got off to a good start so far and if we can get the next win, we're looking at extending our stay in Miami and that would be perfect preparation for the new season."