Mourinho told 28-year-old is good enough for Man United despite transfer speculation
BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks rubbishes the suggestion Chris Smalling isn't good enough for Manchester United
Garth Crooks has rubbished the suggestion Chris Smalling isn’t good enough for Manchester United.
The England international moved to Manchester United from Fulham in a £10m deal under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2010.
Smalling has been part of two Manchester United title-winning squads but has struggled to realise his talent at Old Trafford.
Indeed, the towering centre-half has struggled with injury problems under both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
Reports in the media suggested that Mourinho could sell Phil Jones and Smalling to fund a move for a top centre-half this summer.
The England defender, though, was impressed in Manchester United’s 2-1 win against bitter rivals Liverpool FC last weekend.
Former Spurs forward Crooks suggested that Smalling is good enough to play for Manchester United despite recent criticism.
“The times I’ve heard complete numbskulls suggest Chris Smalling is not good enough for Manchester United,” Crooks told BBC Sport.
“Well, that particular prognosis was kicked into touch again against Liverpool. His interventions were immense and without him United would have suffered.
“This is a lad who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, played under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho and they can’t all be wrong.”
Manchester United lost 2-1 to Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday night to end their participation in the competition.
The Red Devils are four points clear of third-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table.
Smalling was part of the Manchester United team that won the Europa League and the League Cup last term.
