Why Chris Smalling Is Under Most Pressure for Man Utd Following Win over Everton

Manchester United's victory over Everton was good news for fans, Louis van Gaal and the players on the pitch. However, it may bode less well for some of the players currently on the sidelines, through injury or suspension.

Although United collectively retreated into their shells during the last 20 minutes of the game, there were not really any poor individual performances on the pitch. Perhaps Marouane Fellaini may have been considered as a candidate for "player most under pressure," but his position at the club has not looked good for some time, so nothing new was learned during the Everton game.

Wayne Rooney may have cause for concern, in that his absence was barely felt, as United's attacking play was excellent in spite of his suspension. However, Van Gaal made it clear that his captain “has more privileges” in a press conference on 19 September (h/t The Independent), so it is too early to suggest anything has changed in this regard.

Juan Mata looked like he was trying a little too hard to impress—understandable given the pressure on his place in the side—but he has two more games in Rooney's absence to settle in, and he certainly did not have a bad game.

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If Radamel Falcao had not opened his account, he may have found himself under pressure, although much of it looked self-imposed. The relief and joy he displayed on breaking his United duck was a fine indicator of the sense of responsibility he felt to provide the goals he has been signed for.

However, of all the players in United's squad, it is Chris Smalling upon whom Sunday's result and performance could weigh heaviest. United were linked with plenty of central defenders during the summer including repeated links with Mats Hummels, which the player has denied an interest in, per Bundesliga Magazin International (h/t Marcus Christenson of The Guardian). 

Coupled with the emergence of Paddy McNair and Smalling's injury record, these are troubling times for the former Fulham man.

Speaking to MUTV before the Everton game (h/t ManUtd.com), Van Gaal said of McNair:

"

Normally, when you are playing in the first team for the first time, you are quiet. That is the case with most players, so it's no big surprise. What is more important is he knows what he is doing and why he is doing it. He has trained with us for a full week for the first time and he is doing great. I'm very pleased with him.

"

Given that McNair was even more impressive against Everton than he had been against West Ham, there is no guarantee that a more senior defender would reclaim his place on return from injury.

Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans have all had a very problematic injury record in recent seasons. However, Smalling would appear the most vulnerable of the three.

Given Van Gaal's apparent preference for playing one each of a right- and left-footed central defender, only one of Smalling, Jones and McNair are liable to start any game in which Van Gaal deploys a back four.

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Smalling played as part of a back five during United's loss to Swansea on the opening day of the season, then sustained an injury during the first half of the 1-1 draw with Sunderland. His return to the side as a substitute against Leicester City was his first appearance for Van Gaal in a back four, and his hour on the pitch coincided with United conceding five goals.

It is fair to say he has done little to impress his current manager. At least Jones, before his injury, had been in good form. He may well also be under pressure, given his injury record, but Smalling combines a not-much-better injury record with lacklustre performances when he has been on the pitch.

Evans is in a similar position, in terms of his recent performances, but has displayed plenty of evidence of a good level of talent during his time at United.

If he gets an injury-free run, he may well return to a higher level of performance than he had displayed before his injury this season. Albeit, given his fitness history, that seems a very big if.

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Van Gaal's willingness to deploy young players in the first team if they impress him enough has been a hallmark of his career. This is good news for United's youngsters, and for those of us amongst United fans who enjoy seeing academy players given a chance in the first team.

However, given how impressive McNair's first two games have been, and how unimpressive his own recent form has been, it looks like bad news for Chris Smalling.