Pallister: Smalling Is Like Bruce

Former Manchester United centre-back Gary Pallister sees similarities between in-form Chris Smalling and his old defensive partner Steve Bruce.

Pallister, a cornerstone of the Reds’ first Premier League title-winning team in 1992/93, has enjoyed watching Smalling blossom into one of the top defenders in the country over the last 18 months. Like Smalling, Pallister enjoyed a rapid ascent from non-league football to Old Trafford, but that’s where he feels the parallels end, stating United’s current no.12 is more akin in playing style to Bruce and another of the Reds’ defensive leaders, Nemanja Vidic.

"I would probably liken Chris more to Brucey and Nemanja," Pallister told United Review. "He loves the defending side of the game, which is what we’ve needed from a centre-half, to just be aggressive, be tough, make the tackles and head the balls, dominate the penalty box – all the things that Brucey was and I wasn’t! And that’s what Chris is doing, coming up against these big lumps!"

Smalling, United’s October Player of the Month, has been earning plaudits from all quarters this season, with Wayne Rooney asserting he’s one of the top three centre-backs in the world.

Pallister continued: "He’s now a proper defender. He’s more confident, he’s enjoyed a good run in the team and he’s enjoyed the responsibility the manager has given him in making him captain on occasions.

"I think it’s mainly down to the fact that he’s been injury-free for a while; he’s played a number of games now in his preferred position of centre-back and we’re seeing the Chris Smalling we saw when he first came to the club. We’ve needed that solidity at the back and he has provided that.

"If you’re looking for consistency in judging the best player in the Premier League in his position so far this season, I think Chris ticks all the boxes. His performances have been exemplary."