CHRIS SMALLING has revealed that his form for Manchester United was inspired by speculation surrounding new transfers last summer.
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| Chris Smalling has stepped up for Manchester United after transfer rumours in the summer |
The England centre-back has been a rock in Man United's defence this season and has claimed 15 clean sheets in his 29 appearances.
Smalling, 26, has also captained the Red Devils in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick and he scored in the 2-1 win over Wolfsburg in the Champions League in September.
Despite a strong finish to last season, helping United to a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer.
And Smalling has admitted he was concerned about his place in the team, with Louis van Gaal keen to strengthen United's backline.
In an interview with MUTV, Smalling said the transfer rumours inspired him to stake his place at the heart of the team's defence.
“It does spur you on," he said. "When you come to Manchester United, in every transfer window - whether the team is doing well or badly - there are always players linked with the club because this club is always linked with the best players.
“It keeps you on your toes and spurs you on. 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.”
Smalling has failed to start only one game for Man United this season - the 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth last month - and it's been his most consistent run in the side since he arrived from Fulham in 2010.
The Red Devils started 2016 a lot better than how they finished 2015.
A 2-1 victory over Swansea last weekend ended a run of eight games without a win to ease the pressure on Van Gaal, who'd been under immense pressure with United sliding down the league and dropping down to the Europa League from the Champions League.
Smalling looked back on the last 12 months at Old Trafford, where his own game has excelled to new levels.
“It's a time when you can reflect but not for too long because it is a busy period."
“I have been happy with the past year, I have stayed relatively injury-free and have been able to play games, build up and keep learning. I take a lot of positives from that.
“Towards the end of last season and in the summer, somebody needed to step up and make sure they were consistent.
"In the last couple of years we have had a lot of injuries in the centre-back positions, so in these last 12 months I have been happy and injury-free with the manager's faith.
“I don't make too many resolutions but if I can stay injury-free again then I would wish for that, and also to contribute to success with United and England.”
Sheffield United visit Old Trafford to face United in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
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