Skip to content
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.

Smalling welcomes potential Ramos competition

Rumours that United are in the hunt for a new centre-back are of no concern to Chris Smalling.

CHRIS SMALLING WOULD relish the challenge of added competition at Manchester United as rumours persist of the club making a move for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

La Liga giants Real have long been linked with United goalkeeper David de Gea, but rumours suggest that manager Louis van Gaal is only willing to sell if Ramos is allowed to come to Old Trafford.

Ramos is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world, having won every major honour with Real Madrid as well as the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

Smalling would have no qualms should United bolster their defensive options, stating that it would only help improve his own game.

“There is always competition at Manchester United,” Smalling said. “When I signed there were five centre-backs already here.

“I had to work hard to get past them. At this club you are always going to be compared with the best and you always play with the best.”

Smalling, who was mistakenly referred to as Mike by Van Gaal at a news conference ahead of the International Champions Cup fixture against San Jose Earthquakes, impressed during his 25 Premier League appearances last term.

The England international still believes he has room for improvement though.

“I hope my performances keep me in the team,” he added. ”Once you set a benchmark it is matter of aiming higher. You cannot afford to drop them.

“I want to make a good start to the season. After that it will just be a question of kicking on.”

Man United will pay tribute to Berkeley victims before tonight’s friendly in California

Louis van Gaal refuses to rule out Ramos move

Author
View 4 comments
Close
4 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David O Brien
    Favourite David O Brien
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 2:30 PM

    All the best to the Cox family I hope ye have all the help ye deserve. Best wishes :)

    406
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr Chewy Louis
    Favourite Fr Chewy Louis
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 3:28 PM

    @David O Brien: He won’t. Nobody with a brain injury in this country gets anywhere near the level of care that they should do. It’s a disgrace what they had to go through, but at least their profile helped get him some decent rehab. Others aren’t so lucky and just get banished to a nursing home & left to rot. Hopefully his case will help change that

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pauline Gallagher
    Favourite Pauline Gallagher
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 9:11 PM

    @David O Brien: I second that.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Kelly
    Favourite Pat Kelly
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 2:34 PM

    Good luck Sean..

    180
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute my name
    Favourite my name
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 2:43 PM

    Best wishes to Sean and his family. It will certainly be an inspirational read. Well done Martina
    YNWA

    162
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Maxwell
    Favourite Niall Maxwell
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 7:00 PM

    It has to be said, Liverpool FC have been remarkable to Sean & his family, Sean was name checked in the celebrations on winning the league. Well done JURGEN & LFC

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Frazer
    Favourite Maurice Frazer
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 6:55 PM

    Apologies something went wrong with my twitter account when replying to another story from Journal.ie sorry for any offence caused

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute THE BIRD
    Favourite THE BIRD
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 7:57 PM

    @Maurice Frazer: no offence taken Maurice these things happen

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Frazer
    Favourite Maurice Frazer
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 2:56 PM

    God if the HSE got 2

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Looney Tunes
    Favourite Looney Tunes
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 3:04 PM

    @Maurice Frazer: what you on about?

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Dunne
    Favourite Ronan Dunne
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 3:52 PM

    @Looney Tunes: yea wtf is he on about ?

    20
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Frazer
    Favourite Maurice Frazer
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 6:57 PM

    @Ronan Dunne: sorry all, something went wrong while replying to a post from Journal.ie ??

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Looney Tunes
    Favourite Looney Tunes
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 7:48 PM

    @Maurice Frazer: ah fair play Maurice, the journal messed up again,it’s the people that gave a thumbs up to a comment that doesn’t make sense,that has me puzzled

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ᴍᴀɪʀᴇ ᴅᴏɴɴᴇʟʟʏ
    Favourite ᴍᴀɪʀᴇ ᴅᴏɴɴᴇʟʟʏ
    Report
    Jul 7th 2020, 4:48 PM

    16
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.