[iluvoursolskjær]

I don't know what it is but he's looked less 'leggy' [for lack of a better word], or awkward since recently coming back in the team. Only thing is - and which has usually been the cycle with him - he is [usually] soon due a costly brain fart or injury.

If he was to over come that cycle, then no doubt he could be considered one of the league's top defenders. But the gap between his good games and bad games [historically] have been huge.

He's definitely one of the best defenders at the club though, whether that's a good thing is another question.

 

[Loublaze]

It’s not a huge compliment at all. Any remotely-decent defender would cost 80m. Look at what Leicester were asking for Maguire.

Rojo and Bailly are sicknotes. They weren’t exactly expensive either... Lindelöf is comfortably our best CB this season so I’m not sure why you’ve included him in this. It’s obvious he needs a commanding presence capable of winning league titles beside him. Smalling isn’t it.

Do you see why Smalling deserves more praise from critics like yourself? That's not his first big game performance for United and won't be his last. Mbappe just joins the list of top forwards Smalling has kept at bay

 

[Loublaze]

I don't know what it is but he's looked less 'leggy' [for lack of a better word], or awkward since recently coming back in the team. Only thing is - and which has usually been the cycle with him - he is soon due a costly brain fart or injury.

If he was to over come that cycle, then no doubt he could be considered one of the league's top defenders. But the gap between his good games and bad games [historically] have been huge.

When was his last 'costly brain fart'? Can you thnk of it without a google search? Also, Smalling has the best injury record among our CBs, he's not injury prone. You're just repeating lazy common mischaracterizations

 

[gza the genius]

Who does he drop?

Not sure who he's been calling up lately but from the world cup anyway he obviously should get in for Jones at the very least.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

When was his last 'costly brain fart'? Can you thnk of it without a google search? Also, Smalling has the best injury record among our CBs, he's not injury prone. You're just repeating lazy common mischaracterizations

I can think of many situations VAR would have given penalties against us, yes.

 

[Loublaze]

I can think of many situations VAR would have given penalties against us, yes.

Ah the hypothetical VAR thing. too bad it can't get players retrospectively punished. Any actual costly brain fart incidents?

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

Ah the hypothetical VAR thing. too bad it can't get players retrospectively punished. Any actual costly brain fart incidents?

Not so much the hypothetical VAR thing, moreso the 'we kinda just got away with it' thing. Other than those ones we never got punished for none come immediately to mind, no.

Anyways I'm not on here to shit on one of our players after a great performance.

 

[Mcking]

There were seven centre backs across the pitch last night, and the best among them wore pink. Top performance from a top defender.

 

[dogwithabone]

Smalling has been a warrior of late. Undroppable.

 

[11101]

He was excellent tonight aside from the goal. Mbappe played him like an amateur.

 

[diarm]

In all the excitement, I forgot about his dive.

He deserved motm for that beauty alone. Easily the best, worst dive I have ever seen in football!

 

[cathari]

Can’t pass the ball, but has to be one of the best at just defending.

 

[arnie_ni]

I can think of many situations VAR would have given penalties against us, yes.

Must have missed the penalty he gave away last night, can you walk me through it again?

 

[RussellWilson]

Must have missed the penalty he gave away last night, can you walk me through it again?

The real question is, is Smalling the leader in giving away hypothetical penalties in the history of football?

According to Redcafe that would a resounding yes.

 

[Ekeke]

I can think of many situations VAR would have given penalties against us, yes.

How many did he give away in his 2 great performances with VAR enabled?

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Smalling has been a warrior of late. Undroppable.

Indeed. I hope the historical doubts about mistakes are just that, as in the recent past his defending has been top notch. There's still talk of his lack of ball-playing ability but when he's in this kind of form he is without doubt a net asset to the backline. I have to say at one point I had a suspicion he'd be the first CB out of the door ahead of Jones, Rojo and Bailly but he's cemented his place ahead of those three.

 

[MadMike]

He was excellent tonight aside from the goal. Mbappe played him like an amateur.

If(United.ConcededGoal==true)
{
If(IsPlayerOnThePitch(Smalling)==true)
Blame(Smalling);
Else
System.Println(“It was an unfortunate goal”);
}

 

[DWelbz19]

Monstrous last night.

 

[villain]

If(United.ConcededGoal==true)
{
If(IsPlayerOnThePitch(Smalling)==true)
Blame(Smalling);
Else
System.Println(“It was an unfortunate goal”);
}

Someone do the same for “Smalling had a good game, but I still feel like he has a mistake in him”
Or “He’s a great defender but he can’t pass the ball”

 

[VanGaalEra]

Colossal!!!! What a performance, best of his career!

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Huge performance.

Now, if he could just do some Cruyff-turns down by his own corner flag, and maybe a no-look Rabona to De Gea, he'll get back in to the England squad. Seemingly being the best English defender by a mile isn't going to cut it.

 

[Thisistheone]

Got to be his best performance for Utd, or right up there at least. Immense at the back

 

[Minimalist]

Who does he drop?

I can think of an awful Man United defender who he could replace in the squad at least.

 

[MoskvaRed]

He was outstanding last night. He and Victor complement each other well.

 

[Amar__]

If(United.ConcededGoal==true)
{
If(IsPlayerOnThePitch(Smalling)==true)
Blame(Smalling);
Else
System.Println(“It was an unfortunate goal”);
}

 

[roonster09]

If(United.ConcededGoal==true)
{
If(IsPlayerOnThePitch(Smalling)==true)
Blame(Smalling);
Else
System.Println(“It was an unfortunate goal”);
}

Spot on.

 

[Revan]

Who does he drop?

Jones or whoever. He doesn't necessarily needs to start, but he should be called in the team. Also, Maguire has hardly been great this season, so as of now he should start.

 

[Ekeke]

If(United.ConcededGoal==true)
{
If(IsPlayerOnThePitch(Smalling)==true)
Blame(Smalling);
Else
System.Println(“It was an unfortunate goal”);
}

 

[Pogue Mahone]

29 years old. Hitting his peak years as a CB. Feels as though he might finally be blossoming into that elite central defender we've been crying out for since Rio and Vida hung up their boots. I might be imagining it but also seems to be getting more and more vocal. His partnership with Lindelof could have us well set for the next several years. Very encouraging.

 

[roseguy64]

He was excellent tonight aside from the goal. Mbappe played him like an amateur.

What?

 

[11101]

What?

Mbappe stepped out and turned him in the build up. Smalling went with him. Otherwise he had an excellent game.

 

[A-man]

29 years old. Hitting his peak years as a CB. Feels as though he might finally be blossoming into that elite central defender we've been crying out for since Rio and Vida hung up their boots. I might be imagining it but also seems to be getting more and more vocal. His partnership with Lindelof could have us well set for the next several years. Very encouraging.

Great centre back performances rarely come from one CB, they come in pairs because it is really a position where 1+1 could be 3. I think Lindelof’s improved performance have great effect on Smalling and of course the other way around as well. Two CBs who both perform very well and seem to have found a very good partnership and understanding between them and also DDG and Shaw. Looking great.

 

[Robertd0803]

Fantastic performance last night. He seemed to be everywhere.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Colossal last night, good on the bloke. I like him, we have way bigger problems at CB than him.

 

[Handré1990]

He was boss last night, our best defender.

 

[tomaldinho1]

The real question is, is Smalling the leader in giving away hypothetical penalties in the history of football?

According to Redcafe that would a resounding yes.

Bonucci & Godin are top, probably Ramos in third and then Mike.

 

[PlayerOne]

Watched the game again and he was a wall, nothing got past him and made some great blocks too. The partnership is Lindelof has potential, they seem to suit each others game very well.

 

[passing-wind]

Had a very good game I've been critical in recent weeks when it comes to his awareness and what's in and around him but there was minimal flaws in his performance.

 

[haram]

Chris said he preferred playing with Lindelof. Easily the best combination we have.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

'Kin ell lads calm down

All I'm saying is: once Mikey Smallz irons out those risky shirt pulls and occasional WWE grapples out of his game [and as long as injury doesn't hinder this run, touch wood] he is one of the league's top defenders.

It's true that he hasn't had one of those moments where he goes to kick the ball with the wrong choice of leg - or something to this effect - in recent times, to his credit. And he didn't switch off for a moment against PSG - one of the world's top teams. Let's hope he keeps this up.

Edit: Except when Mbappe drew him in and turned.