Owen: Why does Man Utd's Smalling get so much praise? I could do the same job

Michael Owen can't understand why Chris Smalling receives so much praise

MICHAEL OWEN can't understand why Chris Smalling is getting so much praise for his performances.

 

The England international has been consistent in his performances for the Red Devils that has seen them keep six clean sheets in their last eight matches.

Louis van Gaal has been criticised for his tactics in recent weeks with Owen claiming United are just a "defensive team."

But the former United and Liverpool striker's latest comments suggest that Smalling is only being made to look good because he has the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin playing in front of him, and is surrounded by talented stars.

 

Owen claimed that anyone - including himself - could play in Smalling's position in United's current team.

"To be so good going forward you have to commit players,” Owen told BT Sport. 

“With Manchester United this year and Chelsea last year, everyone was raving about John Terry’s performances last year and now everyone raves about Chris Smalling. 

 

Owen claims that he could play in Smalling's position for United

"I could play centre-half when I’ve got Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, two full-backs that don’t move and wide players that really do a good shift.

“To be a good attacking team you almost all have to have some influence on going forward. Maybe not the two centre-halves, but it’s a team game. It’s not like ‘you six stay here and defend, and you four go and attack’.

“It’s a team game. You’re either a good attacking team or good defensively.”