Chris Smalling: How Louis van Gaal has transformed Man United's defence

Chris Smalling has helped United concede just eight goals all season

CHRIS SMALLING has revealed the secret to Manchester United's stingy defence.

 

United have conceded just eight goals in the Premier League this season and have now gone five games in all competitions without letting one in.

And Smalling, who has been transformed under Louis van Gaal, admits the team are all pulling in the same direction.

Smalling signed for United from Fulham in 2010.

He struggled with injury during the early days of his United career and was forced to play at full-back with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic the first choice partnership in the centre.

But now he's the first pick and has even deputised as the team's captain in the absence of Wayne Rooney.

"Over the last year we have had a very good record and in the last month we've had many clean sheets and as a back four, that's really pleasing,” Smalling told MUTV.

 

“We’ve been able to do that even when we've had a few changes in the back four and have stuck together.

"Everyone knows their jobs so it's great to be a part of such a good defensive unit, especially knowing that we've always got that chance of scoring at the other end if we can keep it tight.

“I think a lot of managers say that it starts from the front and us as defenders know it helps our job when the front two strikers put that pressure on.

"If they can do that it makes our job a lot easier. You know that without the whole team working together, it's a very hard job for the defenders, so everyone plays a part.”