Rashford has played every game this season yet he has been dogshit in the majority of them. There’s no point to be made about his appearances when the main CB pairing of Rojo and Bailly has been out injured most of season. Don’t say well he’s been keeping fit as quality doesn’t come simply by default.
Smalling has only one thing going for him, his height and that’s why he may get the nod ahead of a better defender, yet even so we seem to be absolute crap at set pieces both attacking and defending.
Look he’s a United player and should be supported when on the pitch but we’ve seen for years now that he doesn’t have the quality for us to feel safe and solid at the back so hopefully we will ship him out for a good fee.
With Stam, Rio, Vidic, players knew they were covered so our midfield players were free to roam forward while in recent years they have all been playing deeper and deeper. I don’t recall Scholes, Fletcher, Butt, Keane and the likes coming to pick the ball up from defence, it was always passed out to them and allowed us to be more creative and attack minded.
Mourinho buying a central defender every season so far should tell you that he doesn’t think Smalling is key to his plans otherwise he would have just partnered him with Bailly with the other 3 used as backup. I bet you we buy another next year too and I’m afraid that’ll be the end of the road for Smalling.
First off the main pairing appears to be Bailly and Jones. They are the ones who started at the beginning of the season. I don't think Bailly and Rojo have even started a single game together in a back two this season. Smalling has been available for the majority of our tougher games this season and has played against all the top 6 sides. Jones and Bailly started when United where flying at the beginning of the season. Quality doesn't come by default because of availability of course but you can't keep harping on about contributions of players who are not there when you need them most.
Smalling has got more than just height going for him. He's also possibly the quickest defender we have. Did you see him bust a gut to catch up with Mahrez against Leicester before they scored. Jones couldn't do the same with Vardy, and Vardy himself (in the season Leicester won the title) mentioned Smalling as the toughest defender he faced in the league.
When asked which of league’s spoilers has performed the best against him, The Foxes leading scorer said: “On a personal level, Chris Smalling.
“He’s always tight and always around you to stop you from doing your bit on the ball or getting turned.
“He makes it very difficult for you to bring your team-mates into the game as well.”
http://www.squawka.com/news/smalling-is-the-toughest-ive-ever-played-against-says-vardy/606334
Doesn't sound like a player who's only useful because of his height. He's also the only CB we have in the team with goals in double figures for United. As for the part in bold, how is this Smalling's fault? Yes we all know he's not the best with the ball at his feet, but he's always played alongside players with that ability. Jones, Evans, Blind and Bailly have/had this ability. Rio was vastly superior to Vidic in this respect. Scholes actually had to pick up the ball from the back more often than not. These are a few posts from 2007 in a thread lamenting Scholes deeper role and waning attacking contributions:
I just think he is playing to deep. Could be because Rooney and Tevez are dropping back into the midfield to pick up the ball. Or maybe Ferguson wants him to play more defensively, or be more of a field general. Hopefully when Hargreaves begins to play Scholes can go back to being more attack minded.
He plays deep(er) these days. Has done so for a few years (mind you this thread was made in 2007)
It is because he is playing 10 yards too deep. He is seeing as much of the ball as ever and he has probably retained the ball just as well but his passes haven't been of the incisive type because of his deep starting position.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/thats-not-paul-scholes.172226/
The following is from a 2005 thread about our midfielders defending too deep.
The link-up for counter attack is also crucial, hence, Rooney has to drop deep to collect the ball leaving Ruud isolated again upfront. Whilst, Fletcher does not do enough to pull defenders out wide with him on the counter. Heck, sometimes I don't even see anyone in the way of Fletcher until the half way line. Perhaps they know about his prowess or limitations.
Rio needs a pay cut, perhaps he would remember how to play once more. Park had tried had but there is very little one man can do in a team game. Same for Rooney, no one can fault him as well.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/we-are-defending-too-deep.92801/
You singled out Smalling for this as if he's the main reason its been happening in recent years. Again, what about the others who are much better with the ball? We've obviously had those same issues in the past even with some of our greatest midfielders and CBs
Furthermore, according to Squawka Smalling bests our other CBs in the following categories in the league so far:
1. Aerial duels- 73.58% with the closest Bailly at 70.59. This comes as no surprise
2. Interceptions
3. Least defensive errors