Smalling: We Take Winning Mentality On Tour

Chris Smalling experienced his first taste of life with Manchester United during the 2010 tour of the United States and he's relishing another transatlantic trip for Tour 2017, presented by Aon, which starts in 20 days' time. Before he went on holiday, we grabbed the 27-year-old defender to talk all things tour...

When someone says 'pre-season' to you what immediately springs to mind?
Hard work and travelling, but being able to play football in different countries is a joy. The games are my favourite thing about being on tour.

What else do you enjoy about going on tour to the United States?
Seeing new places and training at different facilities. It’s nice to see and learn about different cultures in life and sport and we quite often train at other sports teams’ facilities so it’s good to pick up little things from them.

We’ll face Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City among other teams on tour this year – how will playing sides like that help with the preparations for the new season?
They’re the kind of teams that we should be testing ourselves against in pre-season. Getting up to speed with that calibre of opposition can only bode well for when the season actually starts.

Is there always a buzz about games like those, even when they are friendlies?
Yes 100 per cent. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friendly or a big Champions League game, you always want to win. Everyone’s mentality is always the same in those games and in every game we play.

What are your memories of your first tour to the US in 2010?
I remember being amazed by quite a lot of it. You see how much goes into the whole set-up when you're on tour, I’d never experienced anything like that before. Seeing how big the club is and the huge fanbase we have in another part of a world was brilliant. I would say my first tour is my favourite one.

What are you most looking forward to about this summer’s tour?
Being a part of it all because last summer I was involved in the European Championships with England. I’m just looking forward to getting a full pre-season under my belt and being ready for the start of the season.

Which is your favourite American city?
Los Angeles.

Which is your favourite US sport, and who is your favourite American sportsperson?
Basketball, and LeBron James.

Which is the best tour game you have played in?
Probably the one against Liverpool in Miami [in 2014] when we won the tournament [the International Champions Cup] by beating them in the final. We were unbeaten in that pre-season so it was a good one for us. And it's always good to win a trophy of course!