Smalling Enjoying Partnership With Blind

Chris Smalling enjoys playing alongside Daley Blind at the heart of the Manchester United defence, and believes their partnership is key to the Reds' impressive defensive record.

Anthony Martial's second-half strike was enough to secure an invaluable 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday as Louis van Gaal's men kept a 15th clean sheet of the season, which is more than any other side in the Barclays Premier League in 2015/16.

While Smalling has earned plaudits for his rise to prominence, the England international spoke in glowing terms about his relationship with Blind and what his fellow centre-back offers to the team.

"We know we can rely on each other and whenever there’s a danger, it’s not a case of having to over-cover because you don’t trust your partner," Chris explains. "We trust each other fully. We have brought out the best in each other as the games have gone on, and we will do as the games continue to come.

"With each game and each performance, Daley has put any criticism to bed and he’s been one of the top centre-backs this season. Ever since he joined the club, he’s rarely been injured and he’s been able to achieve a very high consistency, be it in midfield or at centre-back. He’s a joy to play alongside.

"It’s great that he’s naturally a midfielder, but he’s got his passing range down to a tee and defensively he’s sound as well. He brings a lot to our defensive line in knowing that he can play the ball out and really cut through teams."

Smalling's own performances have seen him compared to his long-serving predecessor in the middle of United's defence, Rio Ferdinand, and that is something the defender is proud of.

"It’s nice to hear yourself being compared to a great player and it’s always great to hear, but I think everyone has got their own traits and their own way of playing," Smalling concedes. "But, if you’re being compared to good players, that’s a good thing - hopefully I can keep it going."