‘I did not wimp out’ storms Smalling
CHRIS SMALLING has hit back at claims from Jose Mourinho that he is not man enough to play through the pain barrier.
The Manchester United boss twice questioned the England centre-back’s bravery during the season.
But last night Smalling revealed he had played on with what was later discovered to be a broken toe.
He had needed two injections to get him through the 4-0 defeat at the Portuguese coach’s former club Chelsea in October. “I think in the Chelsea game I proved that I can play with the injections,” said the 27-yearold, who has declared himself fit to face Scotland in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday. “I had a couple of
injections because you want to play that game.
“Soon after that, it got worse and that was when I had to have the lay-off.”
After Smalling and fellow defender Luke Shaw pulled out of a game against Swansea in November, Mourinho said: “We have players with problems, but we have on the pitch players with problems.”
The United boss went on the attack again in April when he complained “cautious” Smalling and Phil Jones had not heeded his appeal to be brave after they missed the derby against Manchester City.
Mourinho’s criticism seemed harsh as Smalling had come out of a protective knee brace a week earlier.
“I don’t think I’ve got anything to prove,” said Smalling. “He knows my character, he knows what type of player I am and that’s not changed.
Push
“You always want to push yourself because you don’t want to let the players, or the fans, down because you train with them every day.
“It’s just been an unfortunate season with injuries. No player wants not to play.
“I played on and there was a break (in the toe). Obviously he didn’t know the full extent at that time.
“You just keep playing until literally physically you can’t and that was the story with the break.”
Starsport revealed last month Mourinho is ready to listen to offers for Smalling.
The centre-back said his boss had not apologised for doubting him, but understood why he had lashed out.
“He was just as frustrated as us who want to be on the pitch,” he said.
“But I don’t think he knew the full picture then and once it was cleared up, it was all good.”