Source: Daily_Mail
Nemanja Vidic praises Chris Smalling Manchester United
Nemanja Vidic has predicted a big Manchester United future for young defender Chris Smalling.[LNB]With Rio Ferdinand a certain starter in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg with Chelsea, Smalling knows he will be dumped back onto the substitutes' bench.[LNB]It might be a feeling the 21-year-old gets used to as the pressure and intensity increases over the final weeks of the campaign.[LNB] Cool customer: Smalling (right) has impressed for United this season[LNB]But Vidic insists Smalling's long-term future is secure.[LNB]In an eight-game run until Ferdinand's return from a calf problem at Stamford Bridge last week, the Greenwich-born player showed clear signs of the ability that persuaded United to splash out ?7million on his services in the summer, even though Smalling had only made 19 first-team appearances for Fulham.[LNB]He has already gone past that number for United and Vidic is confident there will be plenty more to follow.[LNB]'Chris has done very well,' the Serbian told United Review.[LNB]Return: Ferdinand will partner Vidic against Chelsea at Old Trafford[LNB]'He didn't have any trouble stepping into the team and he showed everybody how good a player he is.[LNB]'It has been a great season for him and he has a big future in front of him.[LNB]'He is only 21, so it is a massive achievement for him to have played so many games at his age for this club.'[LNB]Meanwhile, the tough-tackling central defender has revealed a softer side to his nature.[LNB]It is Vidic's strength and power that have seen him shortlisted for the PFA footballer of the year award.[LNB]But the 29-year-old has admitted he can be almost reduced to tears just watching a film.[LNB]'I know I have a reputation for being strong but I am only human,' he said.[LNB]'I cry during very sad moments.[LNB]'There was one film - The Notebook - that really touched me too.[LNB]'I was watching it alone, sitting in the dark, and I got very involved in the story.[LNB]'I almost cried. Almost.'[LNB] Martin Samuel: Dismiss United at your peril! Fergie has quietly rebuilt a forceFerguson praises Valencia as fit-again winger boosts Man United's treble bidWe'll thwart Roman again! Rio's back to lock it down and prolong Chelsea waitAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic
