This new look Manchester United has been taking the league by storm as the players have meshed into what seem a slick passing, fast footballing machine.
With a strong core of English players, during the summer we asserted that it could be to the benefit of England and last night as England beat Bulgaria in Sofia there was very much a United influence on the result with Wayne Rooney grabbing two goals playing alongside team mate Ashley Young.
The game also saw the debut of Chris Smalling who, although not playing in his preferred center back position, put in a solid shift at right back.
This is just another notch on Smalling’s belt following a meteoric rise last season and he spoke to the BBC about the perfect start to his season, playing at right back as well as playing with a special talent in Wayne Rooney,
“My first month or so couldn’t have gone any better, so hopefully the season can carry on like this.
“I’m really enjoying my football. It’s gone like a dream.
“I didn’t see myself playing regularly at right-back for Manchester United or making my England debut in that position.
“Hopefully I can do the job for the minute but I feel my future definitely lies at centre-half. I feel Fabio Capello and Sir Alex Ferguson are great people to be backed by so hopefully I can carry on doing that job and they will have faith in me.”
Speaking of his club and international team mate Smalling stated,
“It is great for me to play with such a special player and special talent for club and country. You can see it only takes a moment of brilliance for him to have an impact on the game and it is making our job at the back a lot easier when he’s scoring a lot of goals.”
The team is looking great…I hope with the same team that we are playing maybe its time to give macheda a shot to be rooney’s partner in front of goal….I really like macheda and with his skills and finishing ability he would seem to be the best choice for our slik pass and move game better than Chicharito…i dont mind chicharito in there but i dont think macheda has been given a chance to play with a strong team…
A good solid debut for Smalling and it wasn’t easy. Most players get to make there first appearance for England at Wembley, but he did it in Sofia. He is playing really well at right back and has given Man Utd a great option for this season. His height is a great benefit considering he is playing full back.
I know he wants to play centre back long-term, but this season he and Johnny Evans will need to cover at full back as well. In Smalling case he may be at right back more this season. It will be good for both of them as it will ensure they both get plenty of games. Evans plays left back for Northern Ireland and I’m sure he will do so for Man Utd as well. Evra will need to be rested a bit more and Evans is the man to come in and cover.
Cahill did well as well, which will mean Phil Jones will probably not get a chance against Wales. That is not a problem because I didn’t want Jones and Cleverley being accelerated too quickly. Welbeck is a little different because he got there playing for Sunderland. I do feel Smalling, Jones, Cleverley and Welbeck have big futures for Man Utd and England. They great motivation is that all four have a chance for the summer tournament now.
The big factor for Jones is to continue to improve his fantastic ability. If he does then we have potentially a phenomenal defender. We won’t be able to hold him back because he plays so maturely for a 19 year old and is built like a rock. If Jones does the business then Ferdinand might be making way this season for both club and country.
Cleverley has been given the biggest compliment by Ferguson because we didn’t end up buying a new midfielder like Wesley Sneijder. I know fans get disappointed but for Cleverley its a great boost because we are not blocking his route. He has started the season and its up to him now to stay in the team. Once he has played 7-8 games he is going to feel even more comfortable and settled.
The same can be said for Anderson and Paul Pogba because we are saying to all three of them “go and grab your chance now” and make sure we don’t regret not spending on a big name player this summer. They also have to make sure we don’t need to spend and get anyone next summer either. Anderson, Cleverley and Pogba can all become big name midfielder’s with Manchester United.