What I don't understand is how there are hardly any mentions of our own CBs here. Only City conceded less goals than we did last season; people moaned about our midfield and our ability to keep possession, so ultimately our defense had to cope with more than City or Liverpool, for instance. Furthermore, people complain about our terrible fullbacks and how they are converted wingers and not able to keep their position or defend well (most agree that Valencia is good one on one, but not otherwise). Yes, we have the best goalie in the league, at least in terms of being a shot stopper. However, even with a defensive approach, our defenders simply have to do more work than City's or Liverpool's. When actually called upon to do some, you know, actual defending, Stones has been pretty terrible, and Pool haven't exactly been great either - I think VVD made more mistakes in his limited time for Pool than Smalling did for the entire season playing for United.
What has happened to REDcafe - there is so little support and love for United on here it's pretty ridiculous. I understand that ball playing centre backs is the be all at the moment, as it is for goalies it seems (Ederson would have conceded two for careless passing if not for Özil being shite), but as a pure defender, I would argue Smalling is better than most on the lists you make. Alderweireld and especially Verthongen on the other hand, those are a notch above, imo. Bailly being our best CB is speculation based on his potential, not his actual contribution thus far.