What Chris Smalling's Injury Absence Means for Manchester United

It’s seemingly been a case of another day, another injury for Louis van Gaal this season with Chris Smalling the latest Manchester United player to spend time on the treatment table, but with the festive fixture list just around the corner, the loss of the England international could be more costly than most absences.

A string of consistently solid performances from the centre-back has coincided with a five-match winning streak for United in the Premier League.

But further tinkering of the defensive line could have an adverse effect on upcoming performances as Van Gaal’s side enter one of the busiest periods of the season.

Smalling limped off in the first half against Southampton last Monday with a groin injury to become the 43rd instance of a player being ruled out since the Dutchman took charge at Old Trafford last summer.

Manchester United’s former assistant manager, Mike Phelan, has suggested that a change to the fitness regime is the cause of the club’s ever-rising injury tally.

Phelan highlights the altered role of Tony Strudwick as a key factor in United experiencing a higher number of injuries this term. Phelan told the International Business Times:

"

 They've brought in new people with a different way of doing things.

What's happened is a continuation of the same players getting injured all the time, so you have to look to the reasons why. I think Manchester United changed their thoughts on the fitness regime, they looked at it a bit differently.

Tony Strudwick, who was operating as head of sports science, was involved day to day with the first team.

He understood how to keep players ready for competition. Then suddenly they moved him sideways and did something completely different. That may have had an effect. That one area has changed.

"

And Smalling is yet another player to face time watching from the sidelines in the coming weeks, which could be a big blow to his team-mates.

Despite the disappointment of being dismissed in the Manchester derby earlier in the campaign, the defender has become a regular starter in recent weeks as the Red Devils have extended a run of five consecutive league wins following their loss away to Manchester City.

After serving a one-match ban, Smalling was straight back into the side for the impressive 2-1 success at Arsenal before scoring—and contributing to a clean sheet—in the 3-0 home victory over Hull City.

At the age of 25, Smalling has become one of the more senior members in the Old Trafford dressing room, and it is perhaps his pairing with youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett that has enabled him to grow and mature even more in recent months.

He has been thriving with the added responsibility of leading from the back and was shortlisted for the MUTV man-of-the-match award in the victories over Arsenal, Hull and Stoke following his return from suspension.

But now Van Gaal must look to replace Smalling once again with the defender potentially unavailable for their next three fixtures, starting with Liverpool at home this Sunday.

Paddy McNair still maintains the remarkable record of ending up on the winning side in each of his five Premier League starts for Manchester United, but the 19-year-old’s inexperience and poor performance led to him being substituted before half-time against Southampton.

The Ulsterman has deputised well as United have been hampered by injuries; however, his lack of first-team football means that he isn’t as sure at the back as the likes of Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones or Smalling.

Jones, incidentally, has now returned to training but is a doubt to play in this weekend’s north-west derby.

Like McNair, Tyler Blackett has also been handed a baptism of fire by being thrust into the starting line-up consistently this season. But for the biggest games of the season, you need your most experienced players available.

It may transpire that the very timely return of Jonny Evans hands the Northern Ireland international a start against Liverpool alongside Michael Carrick and Rojo if Van Gaal again opts to play three central defenders.

While that trio certainly have plenty of experience between them, both at club and international level, it would draw Carrick away from his preferred position as a central midfielder.

With Daley Blind nursing a knee injury, there would be a big void protecting the defence if Carrick is moved to centre-back.

And United fans will be hoping that their side put in a better performance than the one that provided a 2-1 win at Southampton. With the fewest attempts on goal by a Premier League team all season, Van Gaal’s side were lucky to take all three points. Gary Neville levelled criticism at the side on Monday Night Football, arguing:

"

 They've got away with murder tonight really with that performance. Southampton weren't very good at times and looked like a team shot on confidence.

All in all, United will be happy with the result, but they’re going to have to play better than that.

"

Liverpool are experiencing a difficult season themselves and will still be reeling from their Champions League group-stage exit when they arrive in Manchester on Sunday.

Whilst Liverpool have been hit with injuries to strikers Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli, United will need to be at their best to ensure they extend their winning streak to six games and strengthen their hold on third place in the table.

It appears as though Smalling’s absence is going to give Van Gaal plenty to ponder ahead of the Liverpool game and in the subsequent matches away to Aston Villa and at home to Newcastle.

The squad’s defensive ranks are in desperate need of reinforcements to help them cope with the abundance of injuries they are suffering, but the side will have to negotiate a testing Christmas period before the January transfer window opens.