For at least a year there has been a consensus among football pundits that Manchester United required a world-class centre-back; a foundation for a defence that has endured uncertain times since the departure of stalwarts like Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra.

In the void left by such senior figures, there was opportunity for those who remained, namely Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. Injury and inconsistency have blighted all three while the United rearguard has looked shaky in the Premier Leauge, regularly being patched-up with untested youngsters or out-of-position midfielders.

None of these potential heirs have been able to step forward and seize the throne. Now though, just maybe, Smalling is the man.

The England defender’s recent displays have received widespread acclaim and he has been singled out for playing a key role in crucial victories over Tottenham and Liverpool. Louis van Gaal’s side looked more solid defensively in these two fixtures than they have done for some time. Smalling at the heart of the backline, it seems, has finally shown he can produce the kind of composed, classy displays for which Red Devils’ fans have been yearning.

His form has been steadily improving throughout the season but has been somewhat masked by United’s own stuttering progress. Now with the side finally looking capable of securing a Champions League berth, the 25-year-old has begun to take some plaudits. Despite his manager’s regular rotation, the former Fulham man has been almost ever present during recent months and even chipped in with a brace against Burnley.

At 6 ft 4, the sprightly defender has the presence to become the next rock of Old Trafford. Perhaps a regular run in the side and the growing confidence that comes with it is all he has been missing. Despite his relatively young age, the Greenwich-born enforcer also has a fair bit of experience under his belt. Having been at United since 2010, he has amassed over 140 appearances, including 25 in the Champions League.

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Regularly featuring alongside both Ferdinand and Vidic will have done him no harm and 15 international caps have also been gained. Roy Hodgson, it appears, is a Smalling fan having consistently selected the centre-back in his squads, even when not a regular starter for his club.

This recent emergence as United’s most reliable option at the back has also been helped by the incompetence of his rivals. While Phil Jones’ display under the Anfield spotlight was combative, it was also hot-headed, and lacking the maturity of his defensive partner. Jones was perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch. Jonny Evans meanwhile has literally spat himself out of contention.

So will Smalling’s improvement mean a revision of United’s summer transfer plans?

The man himself has long been a reported target for Arsenal according to ESPN FC but a continuation of his form to the end of the campaign would surely see Van Gaal block any bid. The question is whether he can become the centrepiece of United’s rearguard or if he is merely the best option to play alongside a high-profile new arrival.

Much will of course, depend on achieving Champions League status. Mats Hummels looks destined to leave Dortmund but will surely only consider clubs able to offer a tilt at club football’s biggest prize. Regardless of whether a move for a top defender becomes a reality this summer, Smalling is beginning to show that the need is not as great as first thought. Perception of what LvG’s squad is missing could be changing.

Rewind to early in the season and general opinion suggested the new manager had constructed an irresistible forward line while leaving himself desperately short at the back. Now with eight games left, United have the third tightest defence in the league – conceding only twice more than Chelsea – whose back four has looked imperious for much of the campaign.

Granted David De Gea in goal takes a lot of the credit for this but it is at the other end of the pitch where problems have now come to the fore. The attack, labelled lethargic, has shifted the focus of the shortcomings. This transition combined with Smalling’s steady progress may yet have a big impact on the manager’s shopping list.

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