Louis van Gaal endorses Chris Smalling as future Manchester United captain

Louis van Gaal has been vital to Smalling’s change in fortunes

Manchester United manager has labelled defender Chris Smalling as a future United captain. The former Fulham man has had an impressive start to the season and has been a rock for the Red Devils at the back. His emergence as a key player for Manchester United has obviously made his manager a happy man but Van Gaal’s endorsement of him ahead of the Manchester derby would be a huge boost for the England International.

Louis van Gaal’s arrival at the Manchester has seen the rise and rise of Chris Smalling who was often criticised for lack of consistency in his performances. And the manager feels that the quick-learning Smalling has the potential to replace currents captain Wayne Rooney when the latter hangs up his boots.

He said: "Wayne Rooney is the captain, so you don't have worry, and then Michael Carrick [vice-captain].

"But when they are gone then, Chris Smalling can do that. So I push him in that situation.

"Every player makes the steps by himself. I put him in the situation, I help him in the situation and I advise, and the player can take it on board or not.

The manager also lauded Smalling’s ability and willingness to remain vocal throughout a game and to keep his fellow teammates on their toes.

"It's his responsibility. He's done it by himself. There's a lot of advice and it's about how we defend as a team.

"He's a part of that and I wanted him to speak. He also has the talent to speak. That makes him easy to coach.

"Because of that, I have made him a leader of the team. He's made steps, and also in a tactical way.

"When you give instructions in terms of organisation, you need someone to understand that. He's a structured person and he accepted it more quicker.

"David De Gea has the best view [of the game] and then the central defenders, so I demand of my defenders that they speak.

"They also need an overview. I put him [Smalling] in that situation and then he can develop or not. It’s his choice."

Smalling has been a surprise package this season

The 25-year-old has started the season in sensational form and has been one of the most consistent defenders of the Premier League so far this season. Smalling has started all the nine league games and the three Champions League games United have played this season which shows that he has become indispensable at Old Trafford.

It was only about two years ago when United were under the stewardship of David Moyes that Chris Smalling was almost written off as a failure and with good reason. He was largely error prone and consistency was nowhere to be seen in his performances.

But Smalling has had a remarkable turnaround and has started to showcase the potential in him which had convinced legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson to bring him from Fulham to Manchester United.

In the nine Premier League games United and Smalling have played so far, he has managed an impressive 6.9 clearances and 2.1 interceptions per game. He has also averaged a decent 2.4 tackles per game which has seen him dominate opposition strikers so far.

Also, Smalling enthusiastically joins the attack during set-pieces and the occasional foray into the opposition box. He crucially scored the winner against Bundesliga side Wolfsburg at Old Trafford after their opening round defeat to PSV Eindhoven away from home.

Smalling’s performances has also caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson who has called him up for national duty. He is almost certain to star in defence for England at the 2016 Euro championships next summer in France.

Chris Smalling’s form and leadership at the back will be crucial for Manchester United as they welcome table toppers and ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City on Sunday.