Smalling Enjoying Partnership With Bailly

Chris Smalling believes his centre-back partnership with Eric Bailly will get "stronger and stronger" following an encouraging start at the heart of Manchester United's defence.

Smalling missed the start of the season because of a slight injury and a one-match suspension, which meant he only made his first start against Feyenoord on 15 September. However, since then, the England international has been a constant presence in Jose Mourinho's team alongside summer signing Bailly.

Speaking to MUTV last week, ahead of the 1-1 draw with Stoke City, Smalling assessed his flourishing alliance with the Ivorian recruit. “The more games we play together, the more we’re getting used to one another,” Chris said. “As defenders we need to be vocal and he’s getting a lot stronger at that, with his English really improving. He’s very physically imposing as well and really easy to play alongside.

“We’ve got certain calls and certain words which he, and any foreign player that comes in, can understand, no matter if his English is advanced or not,” Chris continued. “It’s about developing that, and the more games we get together I think we’ll get stronger and stronger.”

Since making his debut for the club against Leicester City in the Community Shield, Bailly has endeared himself to the United faithful with a number of combative displays. His performances have even led to a comparison with another colossal Reds defender in the form of club legend Nemanja Vidic.

“Nemanja was one of those defenders who was very aggressive, very dominant and took no nonsense,” Smalling told MUTV. “Eric plays the same way. He can go through a tackle and he doesn’t take risks. If it needs to go, it goes! You can see the similarities there and I expect Eric to have many good years here.”