Why Smalling Has Been LvG’s Biggest Achievement At Man United

Louis van Gaal may be coming under fire for Manchester United’s lack of cutting edge – but at the other end of the pitch is arguably his greatest achievement since taking over at Old Trafford.
.
In Chris Smalling – or Mike, as the Dutchman calls him – Van Gaal has harnessed a talent described by Wayne Rooney as one of the world’s best centre halves.
.
Such a comment would have been met with derision
had it come at any other point during Smalling’s five
years at Old Trafford.
.
But at a time when the England international has
established himself as a pivotal figure for club and
country, it is a statement worthy of serious debate.
.
The 25-year-old’s block to deny Seydou Doumbia in the 1-0 win against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night, typified his growing importance to Van Gaal’s team.
.
In the words of his manager, Smalling ‘saved’ United.
.
And with Rooney’s winner coming so shortly after, it was a pivotal moment – not only on the night, but perhaps in United’s Champions League campaign.
.
In many ways Smalling is not a typical Van Gaal
player.
.
He is not what you would describe as a cultured centre back in the guise of Rio Ferdinand.
.
He does not possess the technique of Daley Blind, with whom he’s formed such an impressive partnership.
.
His distribution still requires improvement.
.
But Smalling’s bravery, physicality and organisational qualities have seen him become a leader in United’s rearguard.
.
Those who train with him speak of his full-blooded
approach – standing on toes and leaving bruises.
Strikers coming up against him know they have been
in a battle.
.
Yet it wasn’t so long ago that there were doubts as to
whether he would realise the potential seen by Sir
Alex Ferguson when he signed from Fulham in 2010.
.
A worrying injury record and struggles to establish
himself ahead of Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic saw
him tread water.
.
His partnership with Phil Jones – tipped to be a bedrock for club and country – just couldn’t seem to take off.
.
Yet Van Gaal identified a raw talent that was appreciated by Roy Hodgson, Arsene Wenger and Ferguson before him.
.
He was so confident in his ability that he abandoned attempts to sign Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal last year when Wenger insisted on Smalling being part of the deal.