[Jammydodger7]

He's fit for Saturday, right?

Yep

 

[ZDwyr]

He's fit for Saturday, right?

At this point, yes. There is still time though...

 

[2 man midfield]

At this point, yes. There is still time though...

It's day by day isn't it?.

Whenever i see a players thread at the top of the home page these days i fear the worst.

 

[Insanity]

Why does the official site mention that he is still suspended? Another gaff?

 

[Isotope]

Thiago Silva did the same stupid thing in QF World Cup nonetheless, stupidly blocking Gk taking a goalkick, thus rendering him playing in the SF. And he's one of the best CB in the world. As a poster said, footballer: shit happens.

 

[POF]

Really? Rio was not made captain because at that time he started to suffer too many injuries; Ferguson wanted someone who played more or less every match as captain.

Vidic was also made twice the player he was because of Rio, no doubt. He struggled with certain players, even at his prime. Rio didn't.

Rio would have been captain instead of Gary Neville if he'd shown the leadership qualities. He and Rooney were clearly signed with the intention of being future leaders of the club. Neither showed the appropriate credentials under Fergie to be made permanent captain.

Who did Vidic struggle against? He had one poor game against Torres of which a ridiculous amount was made because it was so unusual. Rio struggled against any physical player. Players like Drogba, Ferguson, Kevin Davies, Andy Carroll, Crouch, etc. always caused him problems but were rarely a threat vs United when Vidic played. Even Messi beat him in the air to score in the CL final.

As for Vidic being made twice the player he was because of Rio? Look at how well the Vidic/Evans partnership performed. Now look at how well Evans has played since Vidic left. When you have a really top class defence you never worry when the opposition attack. That was the case when Vidic played. When he didn't the general feeling was bricking it every time the opposition crossed the half way line.

I've not been on here long but I am genuinely surprised at how highly rated Rio is here.

 

[ADJUDICATOR]

Even Messi beat him in the air to score in the CL final.

I don't think this is true. I remember Messi's header being uncontested.

 

[POF]

I don't think this is true. I remember Messi's header being uncontested.

Exactly. Rio completely lost him. I don't mean he out jumped him. Just that he scored with a header when Rio was "picking him up".

 

[Sammyjunn]

He is solid mates, by far the best CB we have.

 

[Red Shorts]

Pretty much saved a goal on his own with that tackle on Welbeck. He really is faster than he looks isn't he!

 

[Ekeke]

Outstanding at the back today, particularly in the 2nd half. In the first half De Gea saved us multiple times, in the second half Smalling did

He made 16 clearances today. 16! 5 interceptions, 1 tackle, 1 blocked shot and won the ball in aerial duels 4 times

 

[Lawman]

He is solid mates, by far the best CB we have.

Agree but we need someone along side him who is even better.

 

[kouroux]

That's the Smalling we like to see.

 

[Nighteyes]

Fantastic. Covered for both McNair and Blackett, both of whom looked out of their depth.

 

[Walrus]

Not surprising that he was solid today. Blackett and McNair are inexperienced (though McNair did well) so the pressure was all on Smalling to not only put in a good shift himself, but organise the other two in a different formation with no proper FBs.

 

[saivet]

Great performance. Credit to him.

 

[Ødegaard]

Performing so well in a chaotic match is good, but he's not shown earlier or today that he's 1st choice quality.
Could still be, but we need someone who is now, not in a couple of years.

 

[SirBobbysCombover]

Played very well today, great for the young lads to look up too.really chuffed for him after all the recent criticism.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Where as we saw the worst of Smalling against City, today he showed his absolute best. He was a giant there today, and his pace against Welbeck 1 on 1 shows exactly what he can do. He was the difference today IMO.

 

[Cheesy]

While our defence was weak at the start, he was generally solid throughout. Big improvement from him.

 

[DJ Jeff]

Same as the Chelsea game, superb. He is the best of the injury three of Jones, Evans, himself.

 

[Scarecrow]

That second half performance was massive. One of the best I've seen from him.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Performing so well in a chaotic match is good, but he's not shown earlier or today that he's 1st choice quality.
Could still be, but we need someone who is now, not in a couple of years.

Not? He is far ahead Jones and Evans.

 

[Ekeke]

Performing so well in a chaotic match is good, but he's not shown earlier or today that he's 1st choice quality.
Could still be, but we need someone who is now, not in a couple of years.

Now like... As in today?

As in the match he just played?

Where he was the best CB on the pitch and probably our best player?

 

[FromTheBench]

When you have to defend like this he's pretty good.

When he gets on the ball he's limited and invites pressure.

 

[Raees]

welbeck made him look like the second coming of Paul McGrath! jokes aside, he is our best CB by a country mile when fit and on form.

 

[DevilRed]

Did well and was as solid as can be under the circumstances.

Lets face it though, we were all over the place at the back for most of the match until our lucky goal.

Credit to the young defenders for almost keeping a clean sheet though. Amazing what a little confidence or luck can do. You could just see the difference in our defending and approach.

 

[Mersault]

Did really well. Happy birthday.

 

[Mad Winger]

I think Smalling and McNair could be our best partnership for now. I want them to play until we sign a couple of top class CBs.

 

[Rozay]

Back to his more usual level of performance today. Really excellent centre half, and for both United and England's best centre half.

#SmallingPlusOne (or two, on occasions).

 

[Maroo]

Surprisingly super game by Smalling. Kept covering for the terrible Blackett and saved a certain goal!

 

[Hed Zitin]

Him and Young MOTM. Crazy.

 

[Raw]

I do hope the haters get off his back now, he really is our best defender.

 

[ADJUDICATOR]

And people still think Jones is better.

 

[SteveW]

Beast. Hopefully it will mean a break from hearing people explaining why they trust Blacket and McNair more or why he should be sold. Carried them through the game today.

It would also be nice if people would just accept him for the excellent defender he is and stop nitpicking cos he's not fecking Pirlo. He's as good on the ball as Vidic was. That should be enough imo. Outstanding performance today.

 

[Ødegaard]

Not? He is far ahead Jones and Evans.

Arguably.
And non of those, including Smalling is good enough at the moment if we were aiming to challenge for the title.
The board here is still not in agreement on who out of Jones, Smalling and Evans is the best, you saying he is far ahead of the other two just doesn't seem right at all.

Now like... As in today?

As in the match he just played?

Where he was the best CB on the pitch and probably our best player?

Best player?
You didn't notice the keeper who had to save the defenses arse so many times?
As in this match, where he played with two youngsters who are only in the team because we're having serious injury problems?
Smalling did well today, but he hasn't showed that he is be a world class centre-back, which is what we should be aiming at having.


If Van Gaal wants to give them time then i'm all for it, they can become good enough to challenge for the title as key-members of the squad, but at the moment none of our defenders are at that level.

 

[SteveW]

Rio would have been captain instead of Gary Neville if he'd shown the leadership qualities. He and Rooney were clearly signed with the intention of being future leaders of the club. Neither showed the appropriate credentials under Fergie to be made permanent captain.

Who did Vidic struggle against? He had one poor game against Torres of which a ridiculous amount was made because it was so unusual. Rio struggled against any physical player. Players like Drogba, Ferguson, Kevin Davies, Andy Carroll, Crouch, etc. always caused him problems but were rarely a threat vs United when Vidic played. Even Messi beat him in the air to score in the CL final.

As for Vidic being made twice the player he was because of Rio? Look at how well the Vidic/Evans partnership performed. Now look at how well Evans has played since Vidic left. When you have a really top class defence you never worry when the opposition attack. That was the case when Vidic played. When he didn't the general feeling was bricking it every time the opposition crossed the half way line.

I've not been on here long but I am genuinely surprised at how highly rated Rio is here.

I don't get how anyone can fail to see how good Ferdinand was. Get some videos of him at his best and educate yourself.

 

[Ekeke]

Arguably.
And non of those, including Smalling is good enough at the moment if we were aiming to challenge for the title.
The board here is still not in agreement on who out of Jones, Smalling and Evans is the best, you saying he is far ahead of the other two just doesn't seem right at all.


Best player?
You didn't notice the keeper who had to save the defenses arse so many times?
As in this match, where he played with two youngsters who are only in the team because we're having serious injury problems?
Smalling did well today, but he hasn't showed that he is be a world class centre-back, which is what we should be aiming at having.


If Van Gaal wants to give them time then i'm all for it, they can become good enough to challenge for the title as key-members of the squad, but at the moment none of our defenders are at that level.

The keeper who will be dissappointed by the goal he conceeded?

Smalling doesnt need to be a world class CB. He just needs one next to him. He can be an almost world class out and out defender as long as the guy next to him is a good defender and can play the ball as well

 

[Randall Flagg]

And people still think Jones is better.

I think Jones at his best is out best defender. But I rate Smalling too. Very happy with his performance today

 

[Mali_Zeus]

If he stays fit there's hope for him at United.
The best CB we have right now.