James Ducker: United prepared to listen to offers for Smalling

Mani said:
Remember Chelsea away?
He looks laid back at times.
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Why is it always that Chelsea game that people bring up? The worst game he's ever had. And I'm sure it's just a coincidence that it was a game where he shouldn't have even been playing because of injury, but he was doing his best to play through it. You'd think people would take that into account, but nope.
 
Just thought I'd put all the injury histories into this thread so that we can have a bit of perspective. With all the claims about injury records, etc.

I think it's safe to say that Smalling's injury record isn't too bad when compared to our other players.

FYI, I only put in injuries while playing with United.

Smalling

https://www.transfermarkt.com/chris-smalling/verletzungen/spieler/103427

Season injury from until Days Games missed
16/17 Knee injury Mar 23, 2017 May 1, 2017 39 days 9
16/17 Foot injury Oct 24, 2016 Dec 15, 2016 52 days 12
15/16 Shoulder injury Feb 22, 2016 Mar 7, 2016 14 days 5
14/15 Groin Injury Dec 8, 2014 Dec 25, 2014 17 days 3
14/15 Hamstring Injury Sep 25, 2014 Oct 6, 2014 11 days 2
13/14 Hamstring Injury Dec 5, 2013 Dec 16, 2013 11 days 3
12/13 Metatarsal fracture Jul 19, 2012 Nov 1, 2012 105 days 14
11/12 Head injury Mar 1, 2012 Mar 8, 2012 7 days 2

Rojo

https://www.transfermarkt.com/marcos-rojo/verletzungen/spieler/93176

Season injury from until Days Games missed
16/17 Knee injury Apr 20, 2017 - 56 days 11
16/17 Wound Jan 9, 2017 Jan 13, 2017 4 days 1
15/16 Shoulder injury Dec 3, 2015 Feb 25, 2016 84 days 18
15/16 Thigh Muscle Strain Sep 21, 2015 Oct 15, 2015 24 days 4
15/16 Wound Jul 6, 2015 Sep 3, 2015 59 days 6
14/15 groin strain Apr 13, 2015 May 14, 2015 31 days 4
14/15 thigh knock Dec 8, 2014 Jan 1, 2015 24 days 6
14/15 Shoulder injury Nov 3, 2014 Nov 27, 2014 24 days 2

Jones

https://www.transfermarkt.com/phil-jones/verletzungen/spieler/117996

Season injury from until Days Games missed
16/17 Toe Injury Mar 20, 2017 May 4, 2017 45 days 10
16/17 Knee injury Sep 5, 2016 Nov 3, 2016 59 days 13
15/16 Malleolar injury Feb 8, 2016 Apr 4, 2016 56 days 12
15/16 Sprained Ankle Jan 4, 2016 Feb 8, 2016 35 days 7
15/16 Sprained Ankle Nov 23, 2015 Dec 10, 2015 17 days 4
15/16 Venous occlusion Aug 6, 2015 Sep 24, 2015 49 days 10
14/15 Malleolar injury Apr 13, 2015 Apr 30, 2015 17 days 2
14/15 Shinbone injury Oct 23, 2014 Dec 11, 2014 49 days 7
14/15 Hamstring Injury Sep 8, 2014 Oct 6, 2014 28 days 4
13/14 Shoulder injury May 5, 2014 Jun 23, 2014 49 days 2
13/14 Concussion Feb 17, 2014 Mar 6, 2014 17 days 2
13/14 Knee injury Dec 26, 2013 Jan 6, 2014 11 days 4
12/13 Malleolar injury Feb 18, 2013 Apr 1, 2013 42 days 8
12/13 Knee injury Sep 10, 2012 Nov 8, 2012 59 days 13
12/13 Back Injury Aug 6, 2012 Sep 6, 2012 31 days 3
 
Does it really matter, all this injury talk. You'd think that players set out to get themselves injured. A lot of people were saying flogging Rafael was the best thing to do because of his injury record even though a couple of those if I remember correctly were inflicted by other players, like his fractured cheekbone.

It's all irrelevant now cause if Smalling's going to go, he's going to go. He won't be missed.
 
0161_UNITED said:
To me, it's even more damning if he wasn't injured. Unlike Jones and Rojo, he's had the opportunity to nail down a starting spot. Jones has been injured far too much to know what we really have there.

I'm only basing my judgement on recent performances with Smalling, Jones and Rojo. Jones and Rojo under Mourinho looked far better players until they got injured. Smalling regressed, to say the least, from the previous season. I honestly couldn't give a toss for those who are so hung up on his seasons under Van Gaal is gone, his crap philosophy is gone, and what we're left with is a player that isn't performing to United starting eleven quality under Mourinho. So, "bye Felicia". He's more than had his chance here.

On the other hand, from Smalling's perspective, he's never done anything wrong to United, and he has a real opportunity with regular playing time in a starting eleven in the PL to keep an England starting position and improve as a player. Nobody in contention for England should settle for a backup role. A low transfer fee to enable the right club with the right opportunity for him is the appropriate, dignified approach for both club and player.
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The reality is most in contention for England at present would be backups at any of the really big European clubs , smalling and jones would probably be the backup tea ladies in madrid
 
Havak said:
This is the thing though, season by season the mind plays tricks on people.

Rojo
Seasons at United: 3
Games Missed Because of Injury: 50

Jones
Seasons at United: 6
Games Missed Because of Injury: 101

Smalling
Seasons at United: 7
Games Missed Because of Injury: 50

Smalling is easily the least injury prone out of the three - Bailly only has one season here and Lindelof has just signed. You'd assume those two are in Jose's plans to start and these three guys are more likely to play second and third fiddle with one leaving the club entirely. Rojo's availability will further diminish as he unfortunately misses a lot of next season as well. He's obviously staying though, so if you have to pick one of the others... You pick the guy who is more likely to be available when called upon, and has different attributes when compared with the other players. Jones is probably worse than Bailly and Rojo at everything? At least Smalling is better in the air than everyone and is more of a goal threat.
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I don't think you even read my post or you replied to the wrong poster.

I didn't say Smalling is an injury prone or poor in my post at all. I said we have enough options for backup even if we sell both Smalling and Jones which I don't think we need to spend more money on another one in "this windows". Also Smalling can be decent option for backup. I don't know why we go for another one but again I don't trust any source completely unless if it's BBC. Sky Sport last summer: Mourinho is looking to sell Mata and Blind. And guess what lol.
 
I honestly thought Jones was done for after Smalling started the final. But then he made a mark in the final and I understood Mourinho picked him ahead for attacking reasons, not so much defensively. Jones would probably deal as well with Dolberg. And he's the overall better player.
 
Android1974 said:
I honestly thought Jones was done for after Smalling started the final. But then he made a mark in the final and I understood Mourinho picked him ahead for attacking reasons, not so much defensively. Jones would probably deal as well with Dolberg. And he's the overall better player.
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Mourinho is a defensive manager, he's certainly not gonna pick his centre backs on their attacking play. I saw some others on here saying Smalling was picked because he was more match fit, although I'm pretty sure Jones played more minutes in the lead up to the final than Smalling. I think it's most likely because Mourinho knows in games where he doesn't expect to have the massive majority of possession Smalling's main weakness isn't exposed and his strengths can shine through instead.
 
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Mr Anderson said:
The one thing you suggest is wrong though, he has pace in abundance and would be quicker than the level required in the premier league - that's for sure.
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Thanks for the reply, Sir. Appreciate your opinion.

However, I keep on my opinion that he will be slower playing in EPL. For what i've seen, Portugal league is played in a slower tempo, perhaps similar with Brazil Serie A. That's why some failing stars like Quaresma or even Bebe could resurrect their career respectively.

Hope, I am wrong, and this lad can turn into Ferdinad like or at least on par with Alderweid and Verthongen.
 
Mike09 said:
I don't think you even read my post or you replied to the wrong poster.

I didn't say Smalling is an injury prone or poor in my post at all. I said we have enough options for backup even if we sell both Smalling and Jones which I don't think we need to spend more money on another one in "this windows". Also Smalling can be decent option for backup. I don't know why we go for another one but again I don't trust any source completely unless if it's BBC. Sky Sport last summer: Mourinho is looking to sell Mata and Blind. And guess what lol.
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I was just making a comparison when you said you think Rojo is not injured that much. Not saying you thought this, but many, many posters would criticise Smalling's injury record and not Rojos, when guess what? Rojo has missed the same amount of games in four seasons less.

We won't sell both yet (Smalling and Jones) - we may even keep both for now (maybe one leaves in January depending on how the season goes). I've made a lot of posts about keeping Smalling, but honestly, I do think he will still be gone in a couple of seasons along with Jones. It's just going to be a phasing out process rather than cutting the cord right now.
 
I personally don't rate him, I wouldn't be arsed to see him moved on.
 
sizzling sausages said:
Mourinho is a defensive manager, he's certainly not gonna pick his centre backs on their attacking play. I saw some others on here saying Smalling was picked because he was more match fit, although I'm pretty sure Jones played more minutes in the lead up to the final than Smalling. I think it's most likely because Mourinho knows in games where he doesn't expect to have the massive majority of possession Smalling's main weakness isn't exposed and his strengths can shine through instead.
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Besides the doubtful comment on him being an overall defensive manager, I'm not going to refer you back to his second Real Madrid season again not enter that discussion, specially on the difference between fast transitions and possession, both forms of attacking football… But that you imagine that kind of detail (a center-back being a good attacking header) doesn't enter his criteria for choosing players for a European final is preposterous, since the man is a detail maniac, and shows a poor understanding of his job and personality!
 
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