Manchester United's Chris Smalling was inspired to shine by constant summer transfer talk

CHRIS SMALLING admits Manchester United's summer interest in Sergio Ramos, Nicolas Otamendi and Mats Hummels has helped him raise his game.

 

The centre-half is in line for United's player-of-the-season award after some commanding displays at the heart of defence.

And he says that United's failed bid for Real Madrid star Ramos and their long-held interest in Borussia Dortmund's Hummels and Valencia's Otamendi - now with neighbours City - helped sharpen his determination to prove he was good enough to stay in Louis van Gaal's team.

"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.

 

Chris Smalling has missed just one league game this term, Manchester United's defeat to Bournemouth

 

"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.

"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."