[Alemar]

Guys, isn’t it better to firstly give Mike a chance (under Ole) and then declare a verdict?

We’ve seen Lindelof, Bailly, Jones as CBs - and most of the people would agree that Lindelof was good, Bailly was questionable and Jones just poor. Let’s see Smalling - it’s hardly possible he will look worse than Jones (though if he does, we may stick to Lindelof-Bailly till the end of the season).

One doesn’t need to be a professional footballer or coach to see that we are very vulnerable to crosses and set pieces due to inability of our defenders to play well in the air - it is just plain obvious. It is not less obvious that Mike is by far the best header of the ball in current Man Utd squad.

Also - statistically at least - Smalling is less prone to silly red cards (Bailly) and own goals/assists to goals in our net (Jones). Current level of hatred is unjustified

 

[SAFMUTD]

He has a weird effect here, most players are perceived as better and better when then don't play according to the caf. You can see this effect in Bailly, Pereira even Blind who the caf seem to rate higher and higher as months go by without playing.

But with Smalling its different he's on good form and its our best diffender but as soon as he gets injured and misses a couple of games he becomes our worst deffender ever.

 

[MikeKing]

He has a weird effect here, most players are perceived as better and better when then don't play according to the caf. You can see this effect in Bailly, Pereira even Blind who the caf seem to rate higher and higher as months go by without playing.

But with Smalling its different he's on good form and its our best diffender but as soon as he gets injured and misses a couple of games he becomes our worst deffender ever.

It is because they take him for granted and doesn't notice him. I think many just haven't payed much attention to our games, probably bored fumbling on their phones. Last thing you want to pay attention too is the details of a defender in a game we have produced 2 chances to score. It is understandable and is the only explanation for how you can get such a weird effect. Also, to most fans he probably still has this weird connection to Jones which means whatever Jones do, Smalling is around the same level. You see Jones scores own goals and some how people in here think it was Smalling.

Smalling to me was a bit of a late developer as a CB but he has showed steady improvement in all areas since SAF's last season, except passing which I admittedly think has regressed since he was younger. I remember him being ridiculed playing RB even though he was solid defensively, which is probably the only thing you could expect from him in that position. A lot of weird biases have stuck with Chris, unfairly.

 

[Ducklegs]

I think its a testament to his influence and importance go the team that people have not mentioned him at all in relation to coming back into the side.

 

[Ducklegs]

He has a weird effect here, most players are perceived as better and better when then don't play according to the caf. You can see this effect in Bailly, Pereira even Blind who the caf seem to rate higher and higher as months go by without playing.

But with Smalling its different he's on good form and its our best diffender but as soon as he gets injured and misses a couple of games he becomes our worst deffender ever.

If hes our best defender then he is the best defender of a very bad bunch as our goal keeper has faced more shots per season in every one of the last 5 seasons than he did under fergie with some some of those seasons being up their with the worst for chances conceeded in the entire league with last season being the worst for the number of chances conceeded since Fergies retirement.

Our defence is garbage, the only thing that covers it up is our superhuman goalkeeper.

Now an awful lot of that could be down to the atrocious fullbacks we have and our centerbacks having to defend an incredible amount of crosses and passes coming in from the flanks but even so, the numbers are what they are.

 

[SAFMUTD]

If hes our best defender then he is the best defender of a very bad bunch as our goal keeper has faced more shots per season in every one of the last 5 seasons than he did under fergie with some some of those seasons being up their with the worst for chances conceeded in the entire league with last season being the worst for the number of chances conceeded since Fergies retirement.

Our defence is garbage, the only thing that covers it up is our superhuman goalkeeper.

Now an awful lot of that could be down to the atrocious fullbacks we have and our centerbacks having to defend an incredible amount of crosses and passes coming in from the flanks but even so, the numbers are what they are.

I don’t think its fair to compare our current defense with Rio’s and Vidic’s partnership. Not many partnerships, not only ManUtds history but football history, can be compared to that one.

They were certainly world class, best of the best and nobody is arguing that Smalling or any of our defenders is up to that level.

Now saying that, I don’t think we have a shit defense. Clearly is not a world class one, but last season we had the second best defensive record, and one year before we had the best one in the league if I recall correctly.

This season numbers of course are awful since it was Mourinho’s meltdown and we conceded goals for fun.

I think Smalling and Lindelof can become a pretty solid partnership, if coached properly. Just see how Lindelof has improved since Ole took over, I expect the same effect in Smalling who for me was the most solid defense prior to the improved Lindelof.

 

[Amar__]

I think its a testament to his influence and importance go the team that people have not mentioned him at all in relation to coming back into the side.

This thread is literally bumped because people thought we lack dominant CB on set pieces.

 

[A-man]

This thread is literally bumped because people thought we lack dominant CB on set pieces.

It’s the grass is greener-effect. United are winning more points than in a long time and yet people find things to complain about. I’m all for that a team always should try to improve, but no need to shit on the players who finally play well and win points. There is no evidence that United would have won more points with smalling in the pitch.

Just want to add that I really like Smalling. Think he was one of the best CBs in the PL last season. For the type of football United played at that time he was perfect.

 

[A-man]

If hes our best defender then he is the best defender of a very bad bunch as our goal keeper has faced more shots per season in every one of the last 5 seasons than he did under fergie with some some of those seasons being up their with the worst for chances conceeded in the entire league with last season being the worst for the number of chances conceeded since Fergies retirement.

Our defence is garbage, the only thing that covers it up is our superhuman goalkeeper.

Now an awful lot of that could be down to the atrocious fullbacks we have and our centerbacks having to defend an incredible amount of crosses and passes coming in from the flanks but even so, the numbers are what they are.

Lots of shots, but if you look at stats from the last years you could also see that the defence have been busy. If both defence and goalkeeper are busy it means that the collapse is somewhere else, probably midfield, or on a team level.

 

[Rozay]

Smalling is our best defender, and one of the best defenders in the league for me. That’s based on his ability to defend anyway. On the ball, he’s about average, at best. I do think his ball ability is a little exaggerated though, especially for the basics he typically needs to do. I don’t think he’s any worse technically than Lukaku, who is a forward.

 

[Grande]

It’s the grass is greener-effect. United are winning more points than in a long time and yet people find things to complain about. I’m all for that a team always should try to improve, but no need to shit on the players who finally play well and win points. There is no evidence that United would have won more points with smalling in the pitch.

Just want to add that I really like Smalling. Think he was one of the best CBs in the PL last season. For the type of football United played at that time he was perfect.

I think it’s fair to say Smalling overall has been our best defender over the last 4-5 years at least. Even if his quality in the air relative to players like Jones, Lindelöf and Bailly is often overplayed, it’s certainly there, though the same goes for his passing abilities in not really very tight spaces. His man marking is top notch, his zonal play positional understanding is medium. That’s why it will be interesting to see if he can play his way back into first choice the way Solskjær wants us to play.

I’d say both Jones and Bailly has played to a 6,5 out of 10 rating under Ole so far, with some mistakes but generally good play in duels, marking, and handling of the ball. Even if Smalling has abilities above that, it is so important that our CB’s are able to handle the ball quickly and pass medium difficulty passes with good precision now, and Smalling haven’t had form for that.

Even as we are vulnerable at set play, it doesn’t lead to an enormous amount of goals so far. It might not be worth it in Solskjærs eyes.

 

[A-man]

I think it’s fair to say Smalling overall has been our best defender over the last 4-5 years at least. Even if his quality in the air relative to players like Jones, Lindelöf and Bailly is often overplayed, it’s certainly there, though the same goes for his passing abilities in not really very tight spaces. His man marking is top notch, his zonal play positional understanding is medium. That’s why it will be interesting to see if he can play his way back into first choice the way Solskjær wants us to play.

I’d say both Jones and Bailly has played to a 6,5 out of 10 rating under Ole so far, with some mistakes but generally good play in duels, marking, and handling of the ball. Even if Smalling has abilities above that, it is so important that our CB’s are able to handle the ball quickly and pass medium difficulty passes with good precision now, and Smalling haven’t had form for that.

Even as we are vulnerable at set play, it doesn’t lead to an enormous amount of goals so far. It might not be worth it in Solskjærs eyes.

Another aspect is also how OGS sees the future. In the long run, and with the players available, it makes sense to play Lindelof and Bailly, however at the same time it is important to get to top-4. With Lindelof it looks like he is now contributing more than he costs, and developing him is not a risk. Bailly is still a risk however.

 

[MadDogg]

Jones and Rojo were our best centre back pairing suprisingly

That lasted for about two months and Rojo should have been sent off twice for terrible tackles. They were quite good, but I'd say Smalling-Blind were better both at peak and certainly for consistency.

 

[Bobski]

Very rusty in the first 20 then came on to play a strong game, dealt superbly with Miitrovic, especially given Dalot struggling a little.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Shaky opening few minutes, but grew into the game. Huge aerial presence. He was decent with the ball (apart from that one sliced clearance) and made some pretty smart passes as well. Good game.

 

[Fracture90]

Was OK, today. Him and Jones kept Mitrogenho at bay, which is not an easy task.

 

[Raw]

Slow to start with but improved as the game went by. He's very good in the air, I'm interested to see him back alongside Lindelof.

 

[RussellWilson]

Thought he did fantastic against Mitrovic. Thought he should have played against Burnley too, would have probably helped us with that game with their physical strikers.

 

[Rozay]

Big Mike. People act as if he can’t complete the most basic passes, with that gif of him turning sideways being trotted our year after year. For a centre half, he’s certainly manageable, and he dominated Mitrovic too.

 

[Devil may care]

His hair was in full Killmonger mode last time we saw him and now he's went for the Pineapple hairdo, not a fan of the change Mike but you handled Mitrovic with ease today, solid return to the side.

 

[RonaldoVII]

Was the perfect game and battle for him. He loves playing against physical strikers.

 

[Ban]

Our best defender as per usual.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Unconvincing first few minutes but after that shaked off the cobwebs and looked imperious. He loves a battle against a physical striker, there was a nice rolled pass to set Mata away as well thrown in for good measure.

 

[Doracle]

Good performance today. Probably third choice at the moment behind Lindelof and Jones given our play style but an excellent option. Pleased to see him back.

 

[MikeKing]

First game back after being out with injury. Expected him to be a lot more rusty, be he shrugged it off after the first 10 minutes and played himself back into the team, imo.

 

[RedIan]

Yep solid game, didnt put a foot wrong. Even looked technically better going forward/ passing out once or twice.

 

[Red_toad]

Won so many headers today. Decent performance after returning from injury.

 

[MadDogg]

He was poor in the first 10 minutes, although even then he did enough to stop Mitrovic with that early chance that he likely would have scored against any of our other defenders.

Grew into the game after that and did extremely well against a very difficult opponent who likely would caused havoc against our other options.

 

[Eckers99]

Being tasked with pressing a big, cumbersome centre forward was his kind of game and he did very well. Looking forward to seeing him and Lindelof together under Ole.

 

[Mick321]

Great to see him back, by far our best defender in the air.

 

[Steven7290]

Solid game today but had gone full vegeterian. Do not want.

 

[Mcking]

It was good to have two defenders that are capable of heading the ball. Every high cross was just sticking to the defence against Leicester unlike today.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Ground control to major Mike.

Successful liftoff.

 

[sam147]

'Smalling not involved'. People on here still believe we are better with him in the team. In the style of football we play every player needs to be good on the ball. Against better opposition if there is one weak link it leaves us exposed. Nowhere near United standard on the ball. Its like playing with 10men in possession.

 

[Kag]

'Smalling not involved'. People on here still believe we are better with him in the team. In the style of football we play every player needs to be good on the ball. Against better opposition if there is one weak link it leaves us exposed. Nowhere near United standard on the ball. Its like playing with 10men in possession.

“Fulham being better than the scoreline suggests” does a bit of a disservice to the statistics you’re using to back up your point.

Smalling was involved. He was involved because he won just about every header into the box. Against a player in Mitrovic who might just be the biggest aerial forward presence in the league. Not involved my arse.

 

[MikeKing]

'Smalling not involved'. People on here still believe we are better with him in the team. In the style of football we play every player needs to be good on the ball. Against better opposition if there is one weak link it leaves us exposed. Nowhere near United standard on the ball. Its like playing with 10men in possession.

oh my.

 

[Rozay]

'Smalling not involved'. People on here still believe we are better with him in the team. In the style of football we play every player needs to be good on the ball. Against better opposition if there is one weak link it leaves us exposed. Nowhere near United standard on the ball. Its like playing with 10men in possession.

So you put a formula into excel or something and it told you Smalling wasn’t involved? Did you by any chance watch the match?

 

[Bobski]

Stats

Football is not basketball, not everything can be shown in stats.

Jones today had a moment in the first half when there was a ball played into our inside left channel with Smalling drawn out. Jones tracked the runner across brilliantly and let the ball run out of play. Didn't touch the ball, so no interception, tackle, header, or any counting stat. A superb piece of defending none the less based on his reading of the play. Great defensive play like that happens all the time( and mistakes as well which we have no stats for) and unless you are paying attention little credit will be given for it.

 

[stevoc]

'Smalling not involved'. People on here still believe we are better with him in the team. In the style of football we play every player needs to be good on the ball. Against better opposition if there is one weak link it leaves us exposed. Nowhere near United standard on the ball. Its like playing with 10men in possession.

Another fine example of why the majority of stats are meaningless.

Like the one posted in the Jones thread yesterday, 2 own goals yet apparently 0 errors that lead to conceding. Does not compute.

 

[Adisa]

Should have given a penalty away.