Source: Daily_Mail
Chris Smalling: I can fill Rio Ferdinand's boots
Amid all the criticism of Manchester United's toothless display in Marseilles on Wednesday night, the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson's side rarely looked like conceding a goal has been largely ignored.[LNB] One of the main reasons behind their resilience was another assured performance from young Chris Smalling, who enhanced his growing reputation in the intimidating atmosphere of the Stade Velodrome as United earned a goalless draw to take back to Old Trafford next month.[LNB] Heading up: Chris Smalling put in yet another impressive performance in place of Rio Ferdinand[LNB]Smalling, 21, is seen as the long term replacement for Rio Ferdinand.[LNB] A big, powerful defender with pace, perhaps the only skill he lacks right now is the distribution required at the highest level.[LNB] Most impressive of all is the mentality of the young player who has grown in stature with every game since United headed off competition from Arsenal by paying ?10million for him in January 2010, just 18 months after he was turning out for non-League Maidstone.[LNB] Not once has he seemed fazed by his new surroundings or the reputation of the man he is expected to succeed. [LNB]Indeed, during Ferdinand's recent injury lay-off, Smalling has been immense alongside Nemanja Vidic in the Manchester derby and equally impressive in shutting out Marseille's front three of Loic Remy, Brandao and Andre Ayew on what was only his 13th start for United.[LNB] 'They are big shoes to fill, but when Rio was injured it was a time for me to step up,' said Smalling, an articulate and confident young man who attended a grammar school in Chatham.[LNB] Main man: Smalling acknowledges Rio Ferdinand is first choice ahead of him when he returns to full fitness[LNB]'After playing against City and having an away game of this magnitude behind me I just look forward to games. It's not daunting.[LNB] 'There's a lot riding on the biggest competition in the world so to have the manager's faith in me for these kind of games is great - hopefully I can repay that faith.'[LNB] Smalling has come a long way in a short space of time since blemishing his debut on United's tour of North America last summer by giving away a needless penalty against Celtic in Toronto.[LNB] He has overtaken Jonny Evans in the pecking order, and perhaps the greatest compliment he could be paid is that United no longer fear losing Ferdinand to injury for big games in the way they might have in the past.[LNB] The transition has begun, even sooner than Smalling imagined.[LNB] And he is unlikely to be content in the role of understudy for much longer. 'I didn't expect to get games of this nature yet,' he added. 'I hoped to play some league games and other cup competitions but, in terms of the knockout stages of the Champions League, to get that chance at this stage of my career is great.[LNB] Big match guide: Smalling has relished playing in some key fixtures for United of late[LNB]'When you get the shirt and a position in the team, you don't want to give it up. I understand that Rio's the main man. I just have to make sure that whenever another opportunity arises I keep taking it.[LNB] 'I know I'll have to bide my time. But I'm always going to be there ready because no player wants to be sitting on the bench.'[LNB] An England Under 21 player, Smalling earned his first call-up to the senior squad in November and can expect many more.[LNB] Centre back has been one of the country's strongest positions over the years but there is now a worrying lack of options, with Ferdinand and John Terry in their 30s.[LNB] Ferdinand v Smalling32.......................................Age.........................................21Peckham, London...........Born.......Greenwich, London6ft 2in.............................Height.............................. 6ft 3in?48m...................Total transfer fees.................... ?10m349.....................United appearances ....................... 206.5..........Clearances per game this season...........4.884%............Pass completion this season...............82%1.3..............Tackles per game this season...............1.476%................Tackles won this season...................53%2..................Fouls conceded this season..................12[LNB]Smalling is bound to come into the equation, alongside the likes of Bolton's Gary Cahill as a longterm successor.[LNB] However, former United centre back Henning Berg has warned the youngster that he must become more comfortable on the ball, like Ferdinand, if he is to succeed.[LNB] Berg claimed that Marseille identified and exploited Smalling's distribution from the back to help blunt United's attacking threat in France.[LNB] 'Defensively he was solid, no problem,' said Berg.[LNB] 'But offensively you could see he's still inexperienced at this level.[LNB] 'Marseille were leaving him on the ball and then marking everybody else. United really did struggle with the ball and couldn't find the openings.[LNB] 'You have to give credit to Marseille for exploiting that and making it difficult for United, and especially Smalling. With Rio Ferdinand in the team, their attacking play would have been very different.' [LNB] United fans in flare probe as UEFA investigate crowd trouble at Champions League tieSzczesny battle cry: Arsenal can beat Man United to the Premier League titleQatari royal family will ride anti-Glazer wave to force through takeover of Manchester UnitedAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, John Terry, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Cahill Places: Manchester, London, Toronto, France
