[Andycoleno9]

Excellent game. Timing, tackling, decisions. Just needs to stop pulling players shirts ffs. Stop it.

 

[Adisa]

I hate the way he defends. If refs were strict, he could give away three penalties a game.

 

[ash_86]

Re enforces my opinion on him. He's the best defender we have at the club right now. Him and Lindelof were superb together.

 

[roonster09]

Good performance. Think he was calm with ball too, didn't hoof it unnecessarily.

 

[Amar__]

I hate the way he defends. If refs were strict, he could give away three penalties a game.

Yeah, it's good thing that you aren't refereeing.

 

[Adnan]

Our best CB easily tonight.

 

[arthurka]

Mike is just a super defender.

And has been for a while nothing changed there really. Was faultless tonight with his swedish partner.

 

[Irrational.]

He was class, but he needs to stop the hanky-panky in the box.

Liverpool and their team of international divers will have a field day on Sunday if he starts.

 

[Handré1990]

Was oustanding tonight. Looked like he had a good understanding with Lindelöf as well.

 

[RedIan]

One of his best perfomances in a long time, if he played like that every week we wouldnt be so desperate for a CH. 8/10 for me.

 

[bpet15]

Fantastic shift from him tonight. Even looked poised on the ball of few times.

 

[Isotope]

Another world class striker in his pocket. He's like that nasty Italian CB in the 90s. Love it.

 

[AltiUn]

Interested to see what Solskjaer does with him, he's without a doubt better than any of our CBs other than Lindelof, he's not played too much under him yet but a match like that should have him in contention against Liverpool.

 

[Bwuk]

He played well but he got lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for the Rudiger incident.

A bit shaky at the start, Higuains header Smalling was nowhere near him but grew into the game.

 

[ManRed]

He played well but he got lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for the Rudiger incident.

A bit shaky at the start, Higuains header Smalling was nowhere near him but grew into the game.

That was never a penalty. The decision was reviewed on VAR. Rudiger was backing into Smalling and made a meal of it

 

[Trophy Room]

Hands down our best defender.

 

[Bwuk]

That was never a penalty. The decision was reviewed on VAR. Rudiger was backing into Smalling and made a meal of it

I thought VAR only reviewed if it had been given or the ref asked for it? Unsure of the rules regarding VAR.

Irregardless it’s stupid of him to have both his arms wrapped round the opposing player. What was a really good performance from him could of easily been ruined if the ref gives that.

 

[ManRed]

I thought VAR only reviewed if it had been given or the ref asked for it? Unsure of the rules regarding VAR.

Irregardless it’s stupid of him to have both his arms wrapped round the opposing player. What was a really good performance from him could of easily been ruined if the ref gives that.

Yeah he does give you anxiety attacks when playing. VAR is really confusing but they did show it being reviewed when play stopped next.

 

[RussellWilson]

Beast. Loved him stepping into midfield to press and win the ball. When will the haters give in. Even played some lovely balls between the lines into midfield

 

[Rossa]

He had a brilliant display after barely playing. Yet, there are posters in here that go on about the fouls he should have given away. Even with VAR that didn't penalise him, refs are now just too lenient. Get a fecking grip. He doesn't do anything that other defenders do. If you refer to the incident with Rudiger, Rudiger had his arm firmly around Smalling's waist and then jumped back onto Smalling. If anything it was a free kick to Smalling - completely unnatural movement from Rudiger there, which the commentators pointed to as well.

Why are United supporters so annoyed with Smalling's defending? How many penalties has he committed from tugging shirts? You are talking about an infinite future to which eventually you can go "I told you so."

Great from him today - even decent with the ball.

 

[matherto]

Excellent today.

I want rid but he can defend when he wants to.

 

[Rossa]

He played well but he got lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for the Rudiger incident.

A bit shaky at the start, Higuains header Smalling was nowhere near him but grew into the game.

Bolded bit - why? VAR reviewed it and found it was no foul. Commentators said it was no foul. The play went on and he was lucky, according to you. Rudiger backed into Smalling trying to create a penalty from the situation. Luckily, the ref wasn't fooled like you were. If that is a penalty, instead of giving corner kicks, you could just give penalties.

 

[Ekeke]

Not sure how he got away with ripping Luiz's shirt off. Other than that he defended brilliantly

Because it was normal holding that most defenders do. I actually think VAR helped him in that situation because you can watch it again and see that it wasnt excessive. If theres no video to look at, you just look at the big rip in Luiz shirt and the ref might thing well it must have been excessive. It wasnt, but the result looked like it

 

[Ekeke]

He played well but he got lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for the Rudiger incident.

A bit shaky at the start, Higuains header Smalling was nowhere near him but grew into the game.

They were both holding each other, with Rudiger backing into him. Never ever going to be given

 

[Manny]

Superb. Looked really sharp and was on to everything in a flash.

Aside from the Higuin header early on, he gave Chelsea nothing.

 

[Rossa]

Another world class striker in his pocket. He's like that nasty Italian CB in the 90s. Love it.

I particularly loved the bit where he gave Alsono that extra push with the shoulder when he shielded the ball out for a goal kick. I believe it was in the first half. Didn't take sh*t from anyone tonight - good!

 

[youmeletsfly]

You know one thing with Mike at the back, you won't really lose headers.

 

[Ekeke]

Just to point out, this season Smalling hasnt been as much of a ball winner as last season.

But today against Chelsea he won the ball with 2 tackles and 4 interceptions, making him our 2nd best ball winner behind Ander. So far more aggressive tonight and dominated at the back.

 

[A-man]

Good game, so good one can’t tell he’s been away for so long time! Only thing I do t like is his love for bear hugging people in the penalty box. Could cost one day.

 

[Trophy Room]

Just to point out, this season Smalling hasnt been as much of a ball winner as last season.

But today against Chelsea he won the ball with 2 tackles and 4 interceptions, making him our 2nd best ball winner behind Ander. So far more aggressive tonight and dominated at the back.

If Koulibaly had put in a performance like that we'd be raving.

 

[Ekeke]

If Koulibaly had put in a performance like that we'd be raving.

Absolutely.

 

[Bobski]

It is going to be epic in this thread when he finally gives away a penalty for holding.

I do find the fixation on it and ignoring of everyone else doing it to be strange. I watched Baresi, an amazing defender, who used all the tricks in the book to his favour. You literally get coached into how to effectively use your arms in defensive situations, it has always been part of the game.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

He is a bit handsy in the box, but those holding it against him, do you not watch other centre backs? He wasn't even the most grabby centre back on the pitch today. Rudiger might as well have stuffed Rashford up his shirt tonight.

 

[Reiver]

He was very good tonight and disproved my theory that his use of his hands would be found out with VAR. Helps having a decent partner at the back too.

 

[Isotope]

I particularly loved the bit where he gave Alsono that extra push with the shoulder when he shielded the ball out for a goal kick. I believe it was in the first half. Didn't take sh*t from anyone tonight - good!

Yeh. Reminisce of that nudge to Balotelli . It's unnecessary, but set the moral up on our defence. The whole backline was fecking aggressive all game. Just love it.

 

[royboy16]

Had a great game but really needs to quit the jersey pulling.

 

[Mcking]

I always said he is one of the best defenders in the league and in Europe. It is good to have him playing for us.

 

[dogwithabone]

Fantastic game tonight and was so sharp in the challenge. He was on Higuain so quickly and his challenges were clean.

 

[MikeKing]

That was a mega performance.

Never been his biggest fan, but when he brings the ball out the way he did tonight and relieves the pressure, it just makes him look twice the player.

Thank you. That might be the first time someone who admits to maybe not rate Smalling very highly, actually compliment him on his ball-playing in a top level game. His lack of special quality on the ball has been warped into levels where people want to believe he is incapable of playing football at all. Enforced by gifs made to mock our own players, not from any valid analysis. It has been ridiculous as there is levels to top level football and like it or not but Smalling knows this level and has proved his importance so many times I simply has to laugh at people who try to remove attention from him. He legit has actual haters, so good to also see compliments from fans who maybe just don't rate him.

 

[devips]

What? VAR introduced, but still no penalty given against Smalling? #sacktheref.