Source: Daily_Mail
Nemanja Vidic praises Chris Smalling Manchester United
Nemanja Vidic has predicted a big Manchester United future for young defender Chris Smalling.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.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. Cool customer: Smalling (right) has impressed for United this seasonBut Vidic insists Smalling's long-term future is secure.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.He has already gone past that number for United and Vidic is confident there will be plenty more to follow.'Chris has done very well,' the Serbian told United Review.Return: Ferdinand will partner Vidic against Chelsea at Old Trafford'He didn't have any trouble stepping into the team and he showed everybody how good a player he is.'It has been a great season for him and he has a big future in front of him.'He is only 21, so it is a massive achievement for him to have played so many games at his age for this club.'Meanwhile, the tough-tackling central defender has revealed a softer side to his nature.It is Vidic's strength and power that have seen him shortlisted for the PFA footballer of the year award.But the 29-year-old has admitted he can be almost reduced to tears just watching a film.'I know I have a reputation for being strong but I am only human,' he said.'I cry during very sad moments.'There was one film - The Notebook - that really touched me too.'I was watching it alone, sitting in the dark, and I got very involved in the story.'I almost cried. Almost.' 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 Explore more:People: Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic