Post by CaajScot on Jan 5, 2016 8:54:01 GMT
05/01/2016 08:38, Report by Mark Froggatt
SMALLING FORM SPURRED BY TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chris Smalling has admitted his tremendous form this season has been partly driven by the media speculation linking Manchester United with a new centre-back last summer.
The commanding defender has made more appearances than any other United player this campaign with 29 games to his name. He has also contributed to 15 clean sheets, scored one goal and even worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick.
Smalling’s impressive performances have followed a strong end to the 2014/15 season, when he helped Louis van Gaal’s team to a fourth-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League. However, that didn’t prevent rumours linking the club with new defenders during the summer transfer window.
During an interview with MUTV, Smalling was asked how it felt to read about such speculation during the off-season and how it has affected his form. “It does spur you on,” he admitted. “When you come to Manchester United, in every transfer window - whether the team is doing well or badly - there are always players linked with the club because this club is always linked with the best players.
“It keeps you on your toes and spurs you on. You can't rest on six months of good performances because as soon as you have a blip, there is always another player to take your place.”
At the start of 2016, now is an appropriate time to look back on the previous year and Smalling is content with his progress. “It's a time when you can reflect but not for too long because it is a busy period,” Chris said. “I have been happy with the past year, I have stayed relatively injury-free and have been able to play games, build up and keep learning. I take a lot of positives from that.
“Towards the end of last season and in the summer, somebody needed to step up and make sure they were consistent. In the last couple of years we have had a lot of injuries in the centre-back positions, so in these last 12 months I have been happy and injury-free with the manager's faith.
“I don't make too many resolutions but if I can stay injury-free again then I would wish for that, and also to contribute to success with United and England.”
www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/Jan/Chris-Smalling-admits-transfer-rumours-have-inspired-his-impressive-2015-16-form-for-Man-United.aspx
SMALLING FORM SPURRED BY TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chris Smalling has admitted his tremendous form this season has been partly driven by the media speculation linking Manchester United with a new centre-back last summer.
The commanding defender has made more appearances than any other United player this campaign with 29 games to his name. He has also contributed to 15 clean sheets, scored one goal and even worn the captain’s armband in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick.
Smalling’s impressive performances have followed a strong end to the 2014/15 season, when he helped Louis van Gaal’s team to a fourth-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League. However, that didn’t prevent rumours linking the club with new defenders during the summer transfer window.
During an interview with MUTV, Smalling was asked how it felt to read about such speculation during the off-season and how it has affected his form. “It does spur you on,” he admitted. “When you come to Manchester United, in every transfer window - whether the team is doing well or badly - there are always players linked with the club because this club is always linked with the best players.
“It keeps you on your toes and spurs you on. You can't rest on six months of good performances because as soon as you have a blip, there is always another player to take your place.”
At the start of 2016, now is an appropriate time to look back on the previous year and Smalling is content with his progress. “It's a time when you can reflect but not for too long because it is a busy period,” Chris said. “I have been happy with the past year, I have stayed relatively injury-free and have been able to play games, build up and keep learning. I take a lot of positives from that.
“Towards the end of last season and in the summer, somebody needed to step up and make sure they were consistent. In the last couple of years we have had a lot of injuries in the centre-back positions, so in these last 12 months I have been happy and injury-free with the manager's faith.
“I don't make too many resolutions but if I can stay injury-free again then I would wish for that, and also to contribute to success with United and England.”
www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2016/Jan/Chris-Smalling-admits-transfer-rumours-have-inspired-his-impressive-2015-16-form-for-Man-United.aspx
