Looks like that block has really inflated his ratings! There were better players on the pitch, not saying he was bad though.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 55
- Clean sheets
- 24
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 13
- Red cards
- 1
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True, he was foolish to charge in like that. It's like he wanted too much to be decisive and to break the attack himself. Still happened, to be fair.
Man's a beast.
Yeah he does that now, keep him interested, make a horrendous mistake in order to make up for said mistake with ridiculous tackle/block.
Vital block, his consistency has been so important whilst we've been firing blanks up front.
My man of the match. Totally different player now is Captain Mike
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Wouldn't swap him for any CB at any club. A boss.
You can see how much de Gea appreciates him as well. A proper commander of his box.
You can see how much de Gea appreciates him as well. A proper commander of his box.
The boss at the back!
Indeed. Very proud of the boy. He could have let his head drop after that red card at City last season. But somehow he's hauled himself kicking and screaming to his current standard. Thanks to the coaching team for helping him but mostly thanks to Chris for obviously taking on board whatever he's being taught.
Such a big player for us now. Someone gif that block!
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Did he actually say Michael
Absolutely world class. Would be the team captain if it was my choice.
Danny Taylor is saying he did tooDid he actually say Michael
I think the reason he was at fault for that chance is because he underestimated just how quick Doumbia and Musa are. It's understandable, I mean, 90% or so of the forwards he has/will come across this season will be slower and weaker than him, but he musn't get complacent in these situations. His physical abilities will get him so far - and he's really utilising them this season, hence the increased dominance/agression but he needs to keep using that brain and time things as he had been doing earlier in his career.
Block on the line was pure class. As good as a goal.
A defender being amazing at defending isn't enough? He's fine in possession for a CB
He's just joining in now! Doing it for lolzLVG
Best CB in the Prem this season imo
He's become a colossus.
He's become a colossus.
Granted, but at least he kept playing and made the block. Huge contrast between him and Blind who just stopped and didn't even bother trying to get back to help.
I couldn't believe that, smalling bust his ass off and got the game winning block, blind just walked back watching?!?
Thank god for Mike though, he really is an absolute colossal defender
Smalling is really benefitting from his graduation into top dog since the old guard of Rio, Vidic Evra and Evans left.
You can visibly see he feels responsibility as an essential first team player and leads his back 5 brilliantly as well as deliver world class performances at centre back.
He was sensational in his defensive duties tonight epitomised by that lunge to save a certain goal in the 2nd half.
Actually he has been sensational all season, probably our player of the season so far. And yet its also clear that he still has potential to become even better. Certainly one player who has benefitted from the LVG philosophy.
Ive struggled for a while to identify who best personified what Manchester United stood for but now Im very clear: Its Chris Smalling.
You can visibly see he feels responsibility as an essential first team player and leads his back 5 brilliantly as well as deliver world class performances at centre back.
He was sensational in his defensive duties tonight epitomised by that lunge to save a certain goal in the 2nd half.
Actually he has been sensational all season, probably our player of the season so far. And yet its also clear that he still has potential to become even better. Certainly one player who has benefitted from the LVG philosophy.
Ive struggled for a while to identify who best personified what Manchester United stood for but now Im very clear: Its Chris Smalling.
I love him but, if you're looking at every club, I think Boateng is better. He hits long balls like Blind (and we saw again today how key that can be) and defends almost as well as Smalling.
Smalling is brilliant, though. Thought he was fantastic today at winning the long balls and clearances CSKA played out. He looks more assured on the ball, too. Shaw, Smalling and De Gea is a fine start to a truly fantastic defensive unit.
At times he looks like he is playing around with opposition strikers, incredible how dominant he can look.
Also, again, he deserves more praise for improving so much technically and passing wise.
Also, again, he deserves more praise for improving so much technically and passing wise.
What a beast! His desire to win every header and every ball is just immense.
No weakness to his game, just a top class natural defender.
No weakness to his game, just a top class natural defender.
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It gets bandied around a lot as a term, but is Mikey now world class? I can't think of any other defenders I'd rather have and think he is at a higher level than others who are de facto 'world class' defenders.
Amazing what a name change can do.
Maybe we need to rename all of our forward players. Marouane Rooney.
Maybe we need to rename all of our forward players. Marouane Rooney.
At the level he's currently performing at, I don't think you could describe him as anything other than a top class defender. I've no idea what world class even means these days, but he's got to be close.
He is without a doubt the best cb in the PL by a mile, he is absolutely incredible, strong as feck and technical when required and has developed vocally, he is a leader at the back.
Mike outpaced???? Haven't seen that before. By whom?
Now watch that block with the superman music playing. Mikes a player and a half.
I was as surprised as anyone, I think it was Musa, or may have been Doumbia - one of the two though.
Didn't watch the match. Was Fellaini that bad?
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