Chris Smalling has reflected on when he made his move from Fulham to Manchester United, not long after he had been playing non-league football.

It happened so fast. I was getting settled at Fulham, then to have that interest so quickly was a dream. To know that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted you to play for him was an opportunity that was too hard to refuse.

Smalling has gone from strength to strength under Louis van Gaal and is pleased to be playing well consistently.

I’ve been lucky enough to to work with some very good managers and I feel like over the last year I’ve been able to stay injury-free and get a consistent run. My form was a bit up and down so it was a case of showing that consistency, which is something you really need at the top level.