Smalling compares Bailly to Manchester United legend

Chris Smalling has bestowed high praise on his new centre-back partner Eric Bailly – by comparing him to one of the best defenders that ever walked onto the Old Trafford turf.

Bailly has made an immediate impact at the heart of Manchester United’s defence, with the Ivorian playing in every Premier League and Europa League match since signing from Villarreal in the summer.

The £30m man has partnered Daley Blind and recently Smalling, who has regained his place after injury and suspension setbacks to start the season.

And England international Smalling sees similarities between Bailly and Nemanja Vidic’s playing styles – the hard-nosed Serbian having won 15 trophies at the Red Devils across eight glittering years.

(Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“Nemanja was one of those defenders who was very aggressive, very dominant and took no nonsense,” Smalling said.

“Eric plays the same way. He can go through a tackle and he doesn’t take risks. If it needs to go, it goes! You can see the similarities there and I expect Eric to have many good years here.

“The more games we play together, the more we’re getting used to one another.

“As defenders we need to be vocal and he’s getting a lot stronger at that, with his English really improving. He’s very physically imposing as well and really easy to play alongside.

“We’ve got certain calls and certain words which he, and any foreign player that comes in, can understand, no matter if his English is advanced or not.

“It’s about developing that, and the more games we get together I think we’ll get stronger and stronger.”