Van Gaal: Praise Smalling, Not Me

Louis van Gaal insists Wednesday’s Champions League match-winner Chris Smalling deserves all of the credit for his immense form and development at Manchester United.

Smalling has excelled this season and has arguably been the Reds’ best player in all competitions, having producing a series of outstanding defensive performances alongside Daley Blind.

In truth, barring the odd injury or suspension, the England international has impressed since van Gaal took over the managerial reins at Old Trafford in the summer of 2014 and when asked what he has done to improve Smalling, the manager was quick to play down his own contribution.

“I think the player, when he does things, he does it all by himself,” van Gaal told reporters on Friday, ahead of United’s Barclays Premier League match with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

“I help him with advice and also with demands, also with training sessions, also with showing images to improve him, but he has to be open and he has to perform on the pitch. He does everything for himself. The greatest compliment you have to make is to Chris and not to me.”

Smalling was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2010 when Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were automatic choices for the centre-back positions, which allowed him to develop under their tutelage.

Chris is now a regular starter and appears to have benefited from that education. “Obviously he got the chances because of that but it is always like that,” says van Gaal. “As a player you need vacancies in positions and when it is your position you have more luck. That’s always true in football clubs.”

Clearly in a good mood, van Gaal also praised Ashley Young in his pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex when asked about the versatile midfielder and occasional full-back. “Ashley Young is very important,” van Gaal said. “He is a team player.

“At the first place he is a team player. Not many players are actually team players but he is always thinking about the team. He can play in a lot of positions and for a trainer-coach or a manager it is fantastic that he is willing to do that.

“Yesterday he came in as a right full-back, he hasn't played there much I believe. The second goal started with him. It was very important that he played there in the second half and I am very happy with him. He accepts his role and that’s also important.”