FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED defender Gary Pallister feels Chris Smalling has been the best centre-back in the Premier League this season.

Smalling has been a key figure for United, with Louis van Gaal’s side conceding just eight times in 12 top-flight games to sit just two points off the top going into the international break.

Pallister, who won four Premier League title during his time at Old Trafford, says the 25-year-old has developed into a “proper defender”.

“If you’re looking for consistency in judging the best player in the Premier League in his position so far this season, I think Chris ticks all the boxes,” Pallister told Manchester United’s official website.

“His performances have been exemplary. He’s now a proper defender. He’s more confident, he’s enjoyed a good run in the team and he’s enjoyed the responsibility the manager has given him in making him captain on occasions.

“I think it’s mainly down to the fact that he’s been injury-free for a while; he’s played a number of games now in his preferred position of centre-back and we’re seeing the Smalling we saw when he first came to the club.

“We’ve needed that solidity at the back and he has provided that.

“He loves the defending side of the game, which is what we’ve needed from a centre-half, to just be aggressive, be tough, make the tackles and head the balls, dominate the penalty box. And that’s what Chris is doing, coming up against these big lumps.”

Smalling, 25, has made 20 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring once in the process and has not missed a minute of Premier League action in 2015-16.

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