He's been brilliant since we got him, hopefully we'll get him on a permanent basis
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You'll get him easily. We're great have letting decent players go for cheap and giving new contracts to absolute shite.
From what I've seen of Tuanzebe so far, he possesses true leadership skills that Smalling never had. Smalling is a solid defender, Everton level I would say, but I'm certain Tuanzebe will prove to have a higher ceiling once he gets a run of games.
Have you attacked noticeably worse since he came into the team? Has him choosing the safe option for a pass caused you any problems that you didnt have with Manolas last year or the other CBs playing instead of him?
Considering Manolas is just as bad on the ball as Smalling I doubt they'd notice anything different in this regard
Being better than Rojo, Lindelof and Jones doesn’t make someone better than Maldini, don’t talk arse. That’s whom he’s being compared to, no one is saying he’s our best defender ever or even currently.
I know what you mean and I personally think that it was a bit naive and strange to spend so much money on two defenders, when the midfield and attack were not just poor, but also two forwards left.
But it is too early to say if Smalling has had an major impact at Roma. Fans and other who have watched the matches say he has had a big contribution. I got a feeling last season that Smalling often played well when you looked at him isolated, but the team suffered. This was only a feeling I had. So far he has apparently looked good at Roma, but results have been worse after he joined. As I wrote before they got less points and goal scoring has dropped. I am not claiming this has to do with Smalling, could be coincidence, but as I had the feeling last season that the team suffered, I see a possible connection anyway. But again, I am being highly speculative now.
Goal scoring in Roma this season (Serie A):
Before Smalling 10 goals in 4 matches
With Smalling 2 goals in 4 matches
At least the attack hasn’t flourished since his arrival.
I'd forgotten that people used to blame Smalling's passing for why our attack wasn't working. Guess that argument has been blown out the water this season 
I'd forgotten that people used to blame Smalling's passing for why our attack wasn't working. Guess that argument has been blown out the water this season
Funny thing is thread bumped as ref made a massive error as did person who posted it. Seems he’s still the anti christ on here, people just looking for reason to take a dig at him.
I’m glad he’s doing well in Italy, but I still suspect he’ll end up at la arse.
He's a better defender than Lindelof.
Lindelof is fecking awful, he doesn't win headers and gets bullied pretty much every game. Plus his passing is overrated.
At least Smalling does the basics well.
Lindelof is fecking awful, he doesn't win headers and gets bullied pretty much every game. Plus his passing is overrated.
At least Smalling does the basics well.
Happy Smalling's doing well. Slightly underrated here at times,much of that boils down to the fact he's not the most pleasing player on the eye to watch.
But as an out-and-out centre back he's good,if a little too handsy at times.
He still needs a haircut,though.
But as an out-and-out centre back he's good,if a little too handsy at times.
He still needs a haircut,though.
So your argument is that you need a team of 9 elite outfield passers to carry Smalling as a sub skilled passer and ball mover? I'm not sure what he has done in his career to deserve that kind of devotion to keeping him at the club.
I could buy that if it is possible to have 9 elite passers in one squad or if Smalling was himself elite at every other aspect of his game such as defending and composure, leadership to ignore his clear and obvious limitations, neither of which are true.
Its not a coincidence that every manager for the national and club teams he's been part of has tried to move on from him. Jose tried with Bailly, Jones, Blind and subsequently Lindelof. Southgate doesn't even want him near the England squad while persisting with the likes of Keane, Mings or even Dunk alongside Maguire. Solskjær has moved him on at the first chance. Van Gaal would have done the same if he had other options or lesser glaring holes to fix elsewhere.
Woodward will probably sell for about 5m, we're really good at selling players for well below their value. It's our thing.
This. It was always a ridiculous thing to blame on Smalling when we have appalling attackers like Lingard/Mata constantly starting games for us. Add on that a CM like Fred who is an absolute garbage at whatever aspect of his play, you have the same problems lurking.I'd forgotten that people used to blame Smalling's passing for why our attack wasn't working. Guess that argument has been blown out the water this season
That's not a fact about his quality but rather what the manager thinks. Jones was playing for England whilst Smalling wasn't getting picked. Kyle Walker was being played as a CB because England play piss easy teams most of the time. In terms of defending he's better than most of them. He's a pure defender and that's not what Southgate wants.
I'm happy for him. He is definitely poor on the ball but is easily United's best pure defender (including Maguire).
Good defending is appreciated far more in Italy. He will do very well there. Hopefully United can get £30m for him.
Good defending is appreciated far more in Italy. He will do very well there. Hopefully United can get £30m for him.
We should be able to get good money for him as he not long signed a new contract.
Lindelof, Jones, and Rojo, are others that should be moved out.
Should have been moved on before him, but you can only move on those who drum up some interest and are willing to move.
Our issues in attack is more down to injuries at the moment. While I never considered Smalling to be a good ball playing centre half, he seems to be enjoying more time on the ball as the pressing in Serie A generally isn't anywhere near as intense as the premier league. I don't think he has the capability to play passes from the back the way Van Dijk does or how Rio used to for you but that shouldn't be his prime concern.
We needed someone to help tighten up the back as our defence was shocking for a while and he's done just that.
That would be brilliant but we are cheapskates in the market...we like a good loan
Rubbish.
Players are only worth what another club is willing to pay, I’m gobsmacked we got what we did for Lukaku for example.
Good to hear a Roma perspective
That did surprise me too - had 48m written all over it.
No my argument is you need 8 decent ball playing players, who are freed up from defensive responsibility to have 2 out and out CBs. 1 is easy.
If you can't attack with 8 outfield players, the 8 outfield players arent very good collectively
Lascelles was just pulling his player and his shirt, more than Smalling does on set pieces and the foul/penalty wasnt given. Not even checked on VAR
What a wonderful performance today again, he was amazing, what a passion, fight in every tackle, keep going forward. Smalling is best Roma player so far, and to produce this kind of performance against AC Milan, Roma fans adores him
A scrappy 2-1 victory for us against Milan and Smalling was really good once again. I never used to think of him as an inspiring leader while he was with you but he has certainly bought experience and a lot calmness in our defence.
Would you be pleased if Roma made the move permanent?
Well look at that, turns out Roma can score goals when hes playing too
I wasn't too sure when we first announced him so I thought a loan was a good move. After watching him play in every match for us, I'm delighted with him. I'd love to have him on a permanent but not sure if we can afford the move as we will look to get him for a low fee as possible.
The league suits him better than the Premier League, he has more time on the ball so he isn't rushed or having to deal with an aggressive pressing system. I'd like to think that his communication and leadership skills have improved and will continue to improve with us due to the language barrier so he has to be more vocal or gesture to get his point across so he does come across more of a leader. Dominant in the air and is beginning to pass more into the feet of our midfielders which is good in terms of building attacks. Hopefully he stays consistent!
Sounds great. I hope he continues to do well for you and you end up buying him. Wish him well.
He became a decent leader for us to be fair to him. Put in some great performances to get us results towards the end of our season finishing 2nd. He has his limitations but he ticks a lot of boxes too.
Love reading your posts mate. Cheers for the updates.
He should come back next year. Lindelof doesn't inspire me any confidence.
Sorry Roma, we need him back here in Manchester.
Sorry Roma, we need him back here in Manchester.
I think he'll be playing Champions League football next year.
Rojo consistently hoofs high aimless balls up the pitch. He doesn't even try to pass it most of the time.
This will come to as absolutely no surprise to those that have watched him properly over the last few years. He's a very good defender.
He actually does, his one shining light is that he plays the ball into the feet of the forwards quite often.
I agree, always thought he got crazy amounts of stick by the fans. Prior to Maguire’s arrival he was easily our best central defender.
I watched a couple of old classic United games on MUTV and it seemed his forward passes back then were much better. That’s been a weakness for him,
Italy will suit him well with a little more time on the ball. One v one he’s always been very good and they will appreciate that in Italy.
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