Smalling Determined To Take Chance

Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is determined to maintain his fine run of form and become one of the first names on Louis van Gaal's team sheet.

The England international produced another assured display during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Stoke City and appears to have forged a burgeoning understanding with left-sided fellow defender Marcos Rojo, who was signed in the summer from Sporting Lisbon.

Crucially, Smalling has recovered from the disappointment of being sent off during the Manchester derby in early November and the 25-year-old told reporters this week of his desire to grasp his chance at centre-back.

"I am feeling good and it is nice to get a little bit of a run," Chris explained. "Through quite a lot of my time [at United], I have had a good run and then it has stopped for whatever reason. Hopefully I can kick on and just get a good run and cement my place."

Quizzed on his dismissal at the Etihad Stadium, Smalling continued: "That was obviously disappointing. I felt I did quite well in the Chelsea game and then I had the City slip-up. But there was a chance for me to take and I feel like I am really taking that. Hopefully it will continue."

The Reds defender was suspended for the recent 1-0 win over Crystal Palace but leapt straight back into action by starring in England's victories over Slovenia and Scotland during the international break. As he admits, this was a massive help.

“I think those games came at a good time,” said Chris. “I had to miss the Palace game so being able to play then [for England] meant I didn't have too long of a break between games. It gave me confidence. Playing in such a big game in Scotland gave me confidence to come back here and really make my mark.”

United have now won four consecutive matches in the Barclays Premier League and many pundits are wondering what lies ahead for van Gaal’s in-form team. Smalling, however, is only looking at the short-term and hopes to glean wins from upcoming matches with Southampton and Liverpool.

“After the Arsenal game the next target was to get six points out of these two games [Hull and Stoke] and we have done that,” he said. “Now we will work hard for the rest of the week because we have got two big games next week that could put us up there with the boys around us.

“I think we can beat Southampton. At the moment we are in such a good run of form - we have got that belief back so I think we can go there and win.”