Smalling Eyes European Tests

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes the opportunity to face Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona, two of European football's most pre-eminent sides, will serve the Reds in good stead ahead of the highly anticipated 2015/16 season.

Louis van Gaal’s men will take on the champions of France and Spain as part of this summer's Tour 2015, presented by Aon, and Smalling is relishing the chance to test himself against two elite sides.

Smalling is particularly keen to soak up the experience of playing against both PSG and Barca, given that United could potentially meet both teams in this season's UEFA Champions League.

“I’m really looking forward to it," Chris told ManUtd.com. "We’ve faced Barcelona before during pre-season [2011 and 2012] and on those occasions the stadiums were amazing.

"It was a packed house for both matches. To have the chance to test yourself against the best will be another good step in our preparation for the new season.

“Playing PSG for the first time will offer a different sort of test, and it’s always important to be exposed to different teams from different leagues,” he added. “We may end up playing them later on in the season, providing we can get through our Champions League qualifier, so it will be a good test."

As a centre-back, the England international could be handed the unenviable task of stifling the threats of PSG captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Catalan golden boy Lionel Messi. Smalling is undeterred, however, and expects both to offer their own unique challenges.

“They are two very different players,” Chris insisted. “Messi is a player who wants that space and you need to get tight to him to stop him turning. I think the whole team has to work together, not just the back four. If there’s one person out of sync, he’ll find that vulnerability and space. Ibrahimovic, on the other hand, wants to feel you and if you get too tight he’ll roll you as he’s a really strong guy.”