Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has revealed the threat of being replaced over the summer motivated him to reach the standard he is now delivering on a regular basis.
Louis van Gaal’s side openly pursued Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos over the summer but fell short in their attempts to sign the coveted Spain international, who ended up signing a new deal at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Smalling, who joined United from Fulham in 2010, divided opinion for the first five years of his Old Trafford career but he has flourished under Van Gaal since the start of last season and has taken his game to an even greater height this season and accredits his form to the uncertainty of his future over the summer.
“It does spur you on,” Smalling told United’s website.
“It keeps you on your toes. You can’t rest on six months of good performances because as soon as you have a blip, there is always another player to take your place.”
The England international also seems to have put behind the injury concerns that have plagued the majority of his career.
Smalling has only missed one league game this season and his WhoScored rating (7.21) can only be bettered by Anthony Martial (7.23) of United players to have featured in more than five league games.
For more stats on Chris Smalling, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
