Manchester United fans expressed their displeasure at Chris Smalling’s performance during Wednesday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. Jose Mourinho’s side were expected to offer an even contest to Spurs at the Wembley Stadium, but they failed to pick any positives from the game.
Right from the start, the defence was shattered with Spurs scoring after just 11 seconds on the clock. Phil Jones therein netted a reckless own goal trying to perform a clearance with his right leg, and United can consider themselves lucky to have not conceded more goals during the game.
Barring Antonio Valencia, the likes of Smalling, Phil Jones and Ashley Young struggled to find a stranglehold throughout the game, and the fans were particularly critical over the performance of the former, who displayed one of his mediocre performances on the back of a good start to 2018.
Unsure why Ashley Young started over Luke Shaw. Chris Smalling shouldn’t be starting for Manchester United. Eric Bailly is such a huge miss.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 31, 2018
Chris Smalling is a shocking excuse for a centre back. Needs replaced in the summer or this shit will continue. Getting bullied.
— Adam (@DeGeaoIogy) January 31, 2018
Shocking defending. Jones and Smalling showing why, however well they've done, United are always going to miss Bailly. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 31, 2018
What’s the point having a top class attack when you have the centre-back pairing of Smalling and Jones. Absolute embarrassment.
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) January 31, 2018
Shocking defending. Jones and Smalling showing why, however well they've done, United are always going to miss Bailly. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 31, 2018
Smalling had his best season under the tutelage of ex-boss Louis van Gaal, and he has since struggled to establish himself at the heart of the United defence. At 28, many centre-backs tend to touch their peak form, but Smalling’s career appears on the downslide, if the matches versus Leicester and Spurs are taking into regard.
Eric Bailly is likely to make his first-team comeback for United during the month, and Mourinho will surely be waiting for the opportunity to play him alongside Phil Jones in a partnership which worked wonders in the early part of the campaign.
Chris Smalling always has been only average centre back just watch when he is passing ball has to re-angle himself and looks awkward no ball control ability dosn`t dominate on corners etc.