Smalling Wants Strong Start

Chris Smalling feels Manchester United's players must start as they mean to go on by achieving strong pre-season performances before heading into the 2016/17 campaign.

The Reds have lined up several preparation matches this summer, including two in China as part of Tour 2016, presented by Aon; Jose Mourinho's men will take on Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on 22 July and then Manchester City in Beijing three days later.

Smalling was on last year's pre-season trip to the United States and has enjoyed an impressive 12 months for club and country since then, even if England's involvement at Euro 2016 was ultimately disappointing.

The man named Players' Player of the Year by his club colleagues in May recently spoke to ManUtd.com about the importance of starting on the front foot in Asia where Dortmund and City await.

"The tour is going to be a great test and it’s great to be able to play high-calibre teams," said Smalling.

"From the off, we want to get up to that standard where we are dominating the very best of teams, so it’s good to be playing them so early on in our pre-season programme."

The defender is also looking forward to other aspects of the trip to China, including the opportunity to meet some of the club's many passionate and loyal fans in the country.

"I remember when we went to Asia a few years ago, the reception you get there is something quite unreal," Smalling added.

"We're looking forward to meeting the fans, especially the die-hard fans that we don’t get to see every week. We get to speak to them on social media, but being able to go over and see them outside our hotel or at training sessions and wherever we are when we're there is brilliant. It gives us a great feeling, and to be able to go back and enjoy the beautiful cities also means it’s going to be a special trip."