It wasn’t all that long ago Chris Smalling was one of the best players on Manchester United. During Louis van Gaal’s final season, 2015-16, Smalling was right up there with Anthony Martial as the team’s best performing outfield players. He’s a shadow of that today though, as he turned in a dreadful performance at Newcastle United, a side battling to escape relegation.
The Magpies Matt Ritchie’s first goal of the season came in the 65′, as the Scottish winger converted a penalty kick, which was awarded due to a Chris Smalling dive. It was the only scoring in the match by either side and it gave Newcastle their first Premier League win in five outings. It also moved them out of the drop zone.
Chris Smalling did not win a successful tackle in the entire match against newcastle. pic.twitter.com/QCkVVk4oIO
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 11, 2018
There was blame to go around for the Red Devils, it was an overall team effort. Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, Paul Pogba and others made the mistakes that allowed the Toons to snap an 8-match home PL losing streak.
Manager Jose Mourinho isn’t off the hook either.
José Mourinho’s not blameless, either. The fact he rarely sets up with a three-man midfield, knowing that is where Pogba performs best, is odd. And how he keeps using Chris Smalling when he can see what a total liability he is. Not good enough.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) February 11, 2018
However, for the fans of United, it’s Chris Smalling who is the primary scapegoat, and thus the subject of their ire. United fans want the Englishman out of the first team and off the club.
Think it’s time for Smalling to go in the Summer #MatchDayJay
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) February 11, 2018
Chris Smalling & Phil Jones throwing up their hands after a goal in an area they should have had protected & commanded. Get out of the damn first XI.
— Adam (@AdamJoseph____) February 11, 2018
Everyone at Manchester United is responsible for this current 1-0 deficit.
– Jose 4-2-3-1 setup
– Pogba lifeless display
– Smalling/Jones pathetic
– Martial misses
– Alexis open net chanceStop scapegoating & giving free passes to some because of who you do & don’t like.
— Adam (@AdamJoseph____) February 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/FootbalIStuff/status/962716577102794753
Can’t believe Chris Smalling is still at Manchester United, let alone starting. Liability of the highest order.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) February 11, 2018
I wouldn’t say Smalling is a liability.
That’s being cruel to liabilities.— Jonathan ????????? (@jonmikesav8) February 11, 2018
Smalling dive leading to a goal. What an embarrassment, had a feeling it would him who cost us.
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) February 11, 2018
I’d terminate Smalling’s contract even if it cost us £15m. Would be the best money we could spend. #mufc
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) February 11, 2018
It’s pretty clear that United really need Eric Bailly back, as well as a new center back to pair with him, because the Chris Smalling, Phil Jones partnership just isn’t getting it done.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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