James Ducker: United prepared to listen to offers for Smalling

[Moonwalker]

He's strong, pacey and athletic, and his reading of the game isn't bad either, but he's neither a stopper (because he's too timid for that) or a ball playing defender, because he doesn't have the technique for that, or the passing range.

I was positive Mourinho wouldn't like him.

If we do sell - it's mixed feelings for me, because I've come to like him, but at the same time, I can't not be intrigued, by just how virtually invincible we might become with someone that Jose handpicks.

 

[red_devil83]

If Wenger gets that new contract, surely we can get £20m for him?

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

Think it's time for him. He has had his good moments for us no doubt, but hasn't ever really progressed in the last 18 months or so. You could argue he has gone backwards.

One of Smalling or Jones (if not both) were always going to be sacrificed as they are a liability combined and we cannot afford to carry passengers anymore.

 

[Jaybomb]

About time.

Jones is average too but he is better than Smalling.

Jones at least puts his body on the line sometimes.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I don't overly rate either Smalling or Jones, but I thought Jones would be the first to go as he cannot stay fit for longer than seven minutes.

 

[RedTillI'mDead]

That's fair enough but every other post seems to be someone who wants rid of Jones as well. Seems odd that while our problem has been scoring goals that people are keen to see such as overhaul of our centre-back options.

Better your centre backs, the less cover required by midfield and better the transition from defence to attack.

Smalling looks great with the right protection, but when isolated he time and time again is lacking.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Will be glad to see the back of him personally, he can head it & hoof it, but just makes me very nervous whenever the needs controlling or passing forwards, which is no way for a United defender to be. £15-£18 m West Brom, West Ham, or Newcastle, is my bet if we do manage to shift him.

Much as pace would be a concern, I hope Jones and Blind start the final.

 

[No Love]

There's an air of inevitability surrounding this one, I feel. I think his time has come to move on and I'd actually expect him to put in decent performances elsewhere, where his lack of ability on the ball won't be so maligned and glaringly obvious - Allowing him to be the penalty box defender that I always perceived him as.

He's actually had some good moments for United and if it was a straight shoot out between him and Jones for 1 squad position, I'd rather keep Smalling. Mind you, if both were to leave I don't think we'd miss them. In fact, that might be some of the best business we could do this summer.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Am I alone in preferring Smalling to Jones? I think Jones is a donkey.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Not bothered if he leaves. He was good in LVG's time but his God awful ability on the ball has always bothered me.

 

[Loublaze]

Our defense has been frequently rock solid for the first time since Fergie quit ever since Smalling was dropped

Absolute rubbish. We had the most clean sheets in the league last season and the joint least conceded with Spurs. Smalling played over 50 games last season. Jones and Rojo haven't managed half that

 

[Loublaze]

Funny how easily people fall for transfer rumors like this. There was another one in January when it was rumored Smalling would be sold then. Save your jubilation for the day a transfer is actually announced

 

[tommkell]

I'm gonna have a party when he goes, watching him play football makes my eyes bleed.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Funny how easily people fall for transfer rumors like this. There was another one in January when it was rumored Smalling would be sold then. Save your jubilation for the day a transfer is actually announced

Don't think anyone is falling for anything, as there is clearly no club interested at this point, but the fact that the word is been put out there by a reliable journalist that he available is enough to celebrate at this point.

 

[Ramshock]

Still think he is better than Jones.

He isnt, just is slightly less injury prone.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Be a shame to lose him. Was excellent last season. Arguably the best centre back in the league.

Has a bit of a wobble this season, where he's injured here and there and apparently we want to get rid.

He doesn't even have to be a starter next season, but to me, he's an awesome option to have.

Not on big wages, only cost 10M. I'd definitely have him next season.

 

[ilovethisgameahahah]

Why is everyone reacting like Keane would be our only defensive signing. Smalling is too cowardly, unintelligent and bad at football to play for United, Keane who is decent on the ball, good in a zonal system and great in the air would be a perfect replacement. Still expect us to sign one top CB on top of it though.

 

[lsd]

Great news now we just have to hope they get some offers

 

[RonaldoVII]

I'd rather keep him. He was our Players PotY last season so clearly has the ability. Smalling is more likely to stay fit than Jones.

 

[flappyjay]

Why is everyone reacting like Keane would be our only defensive signing. Smalling is too cowardly, unintelligent and bad at football to play for United, Keane who is decent on the ball, good in a zonal system and great in the air would be a perfect replacement. Still expect us to sign one top CB on top of it though.

We are not spending a lot on defense when we got bigger problems going forward. We always were gonna have to add more goals to the squad but with the Zlatan injury we are gonna be forced to buy another striker plus a player than can score from the wings or midfield

 

[Dir Wangem]

Wrong call if true.

He has the highest top level out of all our CBs(Bailly is still on the fence for me since it's only been one season). He was ranging from 'good' to 'excellent' under Van Gaal's two years(he became POTY for a reason). I also always thought he did well under Fergie the few times he didn't have to play as a fullback.

 

[Champagne Football]

Absolute rubbish. We had the most clean sheets in the league last season and the joint least conceded with Spurs. Smalling played over 50 games last season. Jones and Rojo haven't managed half that

I think it's widely accepted that the dour sideways possession football under Van Gaal made the stats of defenders better than their performances. Smalling had some good games last year but teams last season didn't get many chances against us but it was very common for a team last season to only get one or two chances against us and end up scoring once or twice with such few chances suggesting the defense was still very soft despite Van Gaal's tactics of passing the ball back and forth in midfield for 90% of the game. Rojo and Jones have looked far more solid this season than Smalling ever has

 

[Al-T]

Positive news if true. First steps to moving on him and Jones and correcting (hopefully) our annual Centre Back injury crisis.

Personally, I'd have tried to offload Jones first on the basis what ability he has is next to irrelevant given he's so rarely available for selection. But Smalling, after one decent season, is almost as injury prone and a one dimensional player to boot.

Pleased it seems we are looking for better.

 

[TehRed]

Smalling was the best defender in the league last season according to most people here, wasn't he? Collectively we were raving about Mike Smalldini.

If positioning and mentality are the issues, then get an experienced defender signed, the type who can marshal a back line, and get Smalling in a partnership with him.

Jones has played better than Smalling this season, but Jones is an absolute liability regarding his fitness - you just cannot rely on him to be fit when you need him, and he'll spend large chunks of the season unavailable due to injury.

 

[Hellboy]

Both Jones and him should be shown the door.

 

[Ronaldo's Mum Eh?]

Both Jones and him should be shown the door.

This.

They're both poor. We need to rebuild around Bailly and Rojo. Also get rid of Shaw and bring in a proper replacement and we will be amazing.

 

[Dir Wangem]

If positioning and mentality are the issues, then get an experienced defender signed, the type who can marshal a back line, and get Smalling in a partnership with him.

This is actually a really good point. Smalling always struck me as the second in command who thrives when the other CB does the thinking/leadership for him. He's very quick, very hard to dribble and very hard to beat in the air. Let him play to his strengths and you have a great CB.

 

[Sheldon69]

Smalling as never been and never will be good enough for us if we want to get back as one of the best teams in Europe .

 

[The-Natural]

No arguments here. Been at the club 7 years now and he has just not developed into the player we hoped he would become when we bought him. Those 4 good months he had under Van Gaal were somewhat of a false dawn.

Still lacks confidence on the ball, still lacks aggression in the tackle, and still gets caught ball-watching. Also has committed more than his fair share of costly individual blunders usually in the form of totally avoidable red cards and botched clearances.

In my experience he is strangely well thought-of by opposition fans which gives me heart that we can get a good price for him.

To be fair to the lad he has conducted himself very very well from the minute he arrived and has always comes across as a decent guy but Varane he ain't and it's time to go.

 

[Decomposing In Paris]

Can't help but feel this might have something to do with Tuanzebe. He's clearly impressing Mourinho. Wouldn't be surprised to see Smalling go, and we sign someone like Pepe on a free. There are only so many squad places to go around, and Rojo and Bailey have booked their spots.

Come to think of it though, that'd be one mad back three Bailey, Pepe, Rojo... and I don't necessarily mean that as a complement!

 

[Loublaze]

I think it's widely accepted that the dour sideways possession football under Van Gaal made the stats of defenders better than their performances. Smalling had some good games last year but teams last season didn't get many chances against us but it was very common for a team last season to only get one or two chances against us and end up scoring once or twice with such few chances suggesting the defense was still very soft despite Van Gaal's tactics of passing the ball back and forth in midfield for 90% of the game. Rojo and Jones have looked far more solid this season than Smalling ever has

Possession football made our defenders look good? Next it will be the 'midfielders offered protection' nonsense. Blind and Smalling were very solid and dependable last season. If it was Jones or Rojo who instead played like Smalling in LVgs second season I doubt people would be saying it was all down to LVG's methods/possession football. Smalling is just shit apparently and every reason must be given as to why he had such a good season in 2015/16. Why not just praise the player? His teammates named him player of the year, breaking DDG's three season grip. He also was dependable playing about 55 games in all comps if I remember correctly. Jones hasn't even managed 25 this season, he's played 17! Rojo has managed 21. Smalling wasn't just saved by possession football, thats being really disingenuous. Smalling was very aggressive and proactive last season. His biggest critics either shut up or gave him praise, and so did many of the tv pundits.

“The manager wanted me to be more aggressive – it’s something I enjoy,” said Smalling.


“I always relish that battle with the striker. The manager has also told me not to be afraid to come out from the back with the ball.”


Read more at http://www.squawka.com/news/van-gaa...be-more-aggressive/446431#7d6Vo2FUvo905bOX.99

Looking at his highlight reels from last season you can clearly see he did just that. He hasn't had a great season under Mourinho by any means, but Rojo and Jones haven't outperformed Smalling on his 2015/16 efforts. They haven't outperformed Blind either

 

[Jaybomb]

This.

They're both poor. We need to rebuild around Bailly and Rojo. Also get rid of Shaw and bring in a proper replacement and we will be amazing.

Benjamin Mendy for Shaw.

 

[ilovethisgameahahah]

We are not spending a lot on defense when we got bigger problems going forward. We always were gonna have to add more goals to the squad but with the Zlatan injury we are gonna be forced to buy another striker plus a player than can score from the wings or midfield

We will spend what it takes, especially with only one reliable defender available until January. It's almost a certainty that we will sign 2 centre halfs. Keane isn't going to bankrupt us, the sale of Smalling will almost cover it.

 

[NotQuiteManc]

What happened to Laporte's fans? Is he not muppet's wet dreams anymore? Bailly and Laporte. Mmmmm...

 

[K2K]

Chelsea could do a lot worse than replacing Cahill with Smalling.

Smalling's worst performance of the season was arguably against Chelsea.


That won't have been a great audition.

 

[POF]

Smalling is a better defender than Keane, for one. He's still very good from a defensive point of view and one interrupted season hasn't blinded my (very good) memory of his time here at United when performing at centre half.

If Smalling leaves it is a cast iron certainty that next season there will be a thread created on this forum in which United supporters (probably some of the fickle lot that are now pretending he's always been terrible) will lament his sale and question why the hell we ever sold him as he turns out very well for another club.

Shiny new toy Bailly will no longer be as shiny - and will begin to receive overdue, widespread criticism for being unable to head the ball and generally being a bit of an idiot. Jones will get injured and Keane will just kinda be alright. Rojo, who knows?

But that's just my opinion.

I completely agree. A confident Smalling is the best defender at the club quite comfortably and if he moves on he will definitely have spells of outstanding form. I really thought he would excel under Mourinho because he is an extremely talented pure defender.

After this season, the one reservation I have is whether he will ever be a Mourinho player. He has all of the talent and physical attributes but when he lacks confidence his level drops significantly. Jose has worked very hard on building the mental strength of the squad this year and that is Smalling's biggest weakness. He may be happier with a less talented more consistent player in defence.

Arsenal have wanted Smalling for years, hopefully they're still interested and we can get Sanchez in return

For sure. A straight swap seems a fair deal for all parties!

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

For some reason only SAF and LVG of our recent managers have been able to bring the best out of him

 

[Nate Dogg]

Smalling is an awful footballer, the only reason Fergie bought him as Wenger wanted him and he thought he had the physical attributes to develop him into a good all round defender.

7 years on he hasn't developed, in fact he gone backwards so for me it would be best of he moved on.

Jones is just as bad, his injury record is embarassing and for that reason it would also be best for everyone that we ship him out too.

 

[sunama]

Absolute rubbish. We had the most clean sheets in the league last season and the joint least conceded with Spurs. Smalling played over 50 games last season. Jones and Rojo haven't managed half that

I agree with what you have said.
But this was in a side which was ultra defensive. We did the ball possession thing and back/side passing to prevent the opponent from getting the ball and attacking us.
When Jose came, he instructed his players to attack - not to play ultra defensive football and at this point Smalling was pretty average.
Rojo/Jones played during a time when our team attacked teams and created numerous chances (but couldn't finish.
Under LVG, we didn't even create chances because our entire team was focused on defending.

 

[PeteManic]

I really look forward to seeing if United get a new CB this year. Bailly was just a fantastic a signing as Ibra. He is the ultimate stopper. Just needs a top class ball player beside him.