Central defenders
Chris Smalling
![Burnley FC v Manchester United - Premier League](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/89b5e-15375452630013-800.jpg 1920w)
He was part of the group of players linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer. However, he remained with the team and has risen to prove his worth. He was frozen out of the side initially with an injury to Phil Jones opening up the door. Also, Eric Bailly seems to have fallen out of favour with Mourinho after a poor show against Brighton.
Smalling was United's highest scoring defender last season with four goals including the winner against Manchester City in the derby. He recently replicated that form with a striker's finish in their last league match against Watford.
Victor Lindelof
![Manchester United v Leicester City - Premier League](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/09/71892-15375453001094-800.jpg 1920w)
He is one of the five centre-back options for Mourinho. At times, he has been caught out and outmuscled by the opposition players. Lindelof has had a run of a few games and has got into Mourinho's good books.
At the moment, he is set to continue his run in the starting line up with Mourinho keen to have a consistent defensive pairing at the centre.