Chris Smalling hails Manchester United’s never-say-die attitude and believes Premier League title is within their grasp

Manchester United vs Celtic F.C, International Friendlies,Chris Smalling(Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

By Wayne Veysey at Upton Park

Buoyed by a stunning comeback at West Ham on Saturday, Manchester United starlet Chris Smalling has hailed the club’s never-say-die philosophy and believes the Premier League crown is now within United’s grasp.

In a season which the 21-year-old was expected to remain under-study to the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Johnny Evans, a catalogue of injuries to first-team personnel has thrust Smalling in at the deep end and the former Fulham man has now completed each of United’s last six Premier League outings – experience which has given him a deeper understanding of the club’s ethos.

“I’m starting to get a feel of the club’s never say die attitude and I don’t think many other teams possess that,” said Smalling after United’s comeback at Upton Park.

“Everybody just sticks together. They were all over the moon in the dressing room. It shows how big this club is and the emphasis on things, how we don’t give up and it’s paid off in the end.

“I’m definitely fitting into that philosophy. Blackpool was another strange game where we had to come back in that one.”

United’s heroics and the failure of their title rivals catapulted Sir Alex Ferguson’s men into a seven-point lead at the Premier League summit and Smalling believes their advantage now puts a record 19th title well within their grasp.

He added: “The manager said it can be a really tough place to come because they create a great atmosphere here.

“It’s definitely within our grasp and there’s other competitions we’re involved in.”

The England Under-21 international watched on from the defensive line as Wayne Rooney slammed home a 25-minute hat-trick in the London sunshine and admitted signing the hat-trick ball put the icing on the cake after such a momentous second-half turnaround.

Quizzed on signing the hat-trick ball, Smalling said: “We were all signing it and a few people were putting a few dodgy little messages on it.

“I saw Michael Owen writing something about his Wayne Rooney first touch on one of the goals but it was all jokes.

“To be a part of a comeback like that and to sign the ball for one of the biggest players is incredible but I really feel like I’m playing my part.”

Smalling is indeed expected to play a role when United travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for the first leg of a Champions League quarter final and the youngster feels he has nothing to prove after conceding a penalty during United’s recent 2-1 defeat at the hands of Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

“I still don’t think it was a penalty and that I was hard done by,” added the young defender.

“But you get those in your career and what’s important is how you react and we’ve kicked on with our performances. I’ve managed to be involved, play games and keep my momentum going. I don’t feel I’ve got anything to prove.”

“The games are coming round thick and fast. It’s another massive stage for myself. To be able to play in these latter stages of the Champions League is what most players in the world would dream to be a part of. I can’t wait to play my part.”

United will still be without key defensive players for the clash as they bid for a semi-final place against either Inter Milan or Schalke, but Smalling insists that since his summer arrival from Fulham, one of United’s defensive charges has been a major guiding force in his development.

“Rio has guided me all the way through and it’s great to see him getting back training,” added Smalling. 

“He’s had suck bad luck with injury we’re starting to get everyone back now and we need them at this important stage of the season.”