At the start of the season when Louis van Gaal first arrived at Old Trafford; it seemed almost incomprehensible that Chris Smalling would be anywhere near the Manchester United squad ever again.

Not only does he still find himself in Van Gaal’s squad, he finds himself as an integral member of the Dutchman’s team. Once a figure of derision from his own fans and a national laughing stock, he is beginning to develop into a centre back that one of the most experienced coaches in European football trusts.

It is now five years since Smalling completed his meteoric rise from Maidstone United to Manchester United, via a short stay at Fulham. Sir Alex Ferguson highlighted the defender as the man to fill the void that would ultimately be left by either Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic. In those five years, Smalling is yet to play his 100^th game for the club. This has highlighted the struggle he has faced since his transfer.

His new manager appeared to have made his mind up on the defender after a reckless red card against their rivals Manchester City. He labelled the defender ‘Stupid’ and the signs appeared ominous.

The signing of Marcos Rojo last summer for £16m from Sporting Lisbon, looked as if it would signal the end for the former Fulham man’s Old Trafford career. But his signing has not gone to plan, through a combination of injuries and struggling to adapt he has yet to have the desired effect his manager would have wanted.

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Van Gaal’s developing reliance on Smalling was evident in the recent Manchester derby, although Rojo was fit he still decided to start the England international in one of the biggest games of their season.

Manchester City provided a huge test for Smalling, a test he passed with flying colours. Despite Aguero managing to notch two goals, he was comfortably the best defender on the pitch; outshining the supposed best defender in the league, in Vincent Kompany.

The desired pairing and the heirs apparent to the Man United central defence, Phil Jones and Smalling, have struggled to make the positions their own in recent years. However, van Gaal has finally seemed to settle on the two Englishman to hold the two positions. Whilst Phil Jones has retained all the bluster and passion that at times can make him a risk to not only others but to himself, Smalling has developed an aura of calmness, the perfect antidote to his more combative partner.

His four goals this campaign have also highlighted how effective he is starting to become in attacking areas as well. Even the most ‘anti Smalling’ fans must accept his improvement has been startling.

Chris Smalling, although still far from the finished article, is beginning to flourish under his esteemed manager and is beginning to show the potential that Sir Alex spotted over five years ago. Van Gaal has a lot of success stories in his first season in Manchester, transforming players like Young and Fellaini; but turning Smalling from the butt of jokes to a defender who now seems natural in a title chasing side, is his greatest feat to date.

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