CHRIS
CHRIS SMALLING claims even his family and friends are enjoying watching the old-look Manchester United again.
Smalling feels Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned the clock back to the swashbuckling football United played under Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the defender’s Old Trafford career.
Fergie’s old No.2 Mike Phelan is part of Solskjaer’s team to strengthen that connection with the Reds’ glorious past, and Smalling says those closest to him can finally enjoy games again.
“I definitely get that,” he said. “Even my own family and friends, and people who stop you in the street, there is that feel-good factor. It’s going through the team and that translates to the fans.
“Obviously, I was here with Mike under Sir Alex, and it’s nice to work with him again. Ole was also part of that past here and wants to carry it on. There’s definitely that feeling.”
Smalling hopes to play his second game under Solskjaer since recovering from the foot injury he suffered back in December, in Monday’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea, and says the Norwegian has given the players confidence.
He senses United’s “fear factor” is returning because they won 10 of their first 11 games before losing to Paris Saint-germain.
“A lot of people ask what Ole’s done and what he’s changed, but he’s kept it quite simple, just in terms of trying to give people confidence,” said the centre-half.
“Ole just wants us to try to play with a smile on our face and bring out that belief in us that we’re good players.
“Confidence has been good the last couple of months. You sense if teams give us chances, we’ll score goals. That’s that fear factor.”
Smalling, who recently signed a new deal until 2022, feels better than ever, partly because of his vegan diet, and he is keen to support various charities with his wife Sam. The 29-year-old has Chris
Smalling was speaking at becoming patron of the education and social inclusion charity Football Beyond Borders. For more information visit www.footballbeyond borders.org become patron of Football Beyond Borders (FBB), which engages schoolkids, who might otherwise struggle, in learning through football. Smalling knows the difficulties many of them face because he was brought up in a single-parent family.
“I didn’t traditional come down route,” said the the defender, who visited Salford City Academy this week to see FBB’S work. “I grew up with my mother and brother, so I feel I can relate to them.” Smalling is optimistic about the remainder of the season, despite United’s Champions League defeat to PSG, and insists the campaign would still be a success if they could win the FA Cup.
“Each season, if you can pick up a trophy, I think it’s deemed a success,” he added. “If we can win a trophy and get in that top four, I think we can consider it an improvement.”
■■OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has paid tribute to former Manchester United youth coach Eric Harrison, following his passing at the age of
81. United’s caretaker manager said: “He was a fantastic man. I never had him as a coach but spoke to him many, many times, and he was so passionate. His legacy will be remembered.’’