Smalling: I Will Be Star-Struck At United

Eighteen months ago, Chris Smalling was earning £5 an hour as a waiter while studying for his A-Levels. Now he plays for Fulham and has agreed a deal with Manchester United for next season.

The talented defender admits that he will be star-struck when he first joins the club but doesn’t feel nervous about playing for United.

“It has been a whirlwind and things are happening very quickly,” said Smalling. “It is very exciting. My move to United came out of the blue. I was just concentrating on doing well for Fulham and linking up with the Under 21s, then suddenly it came up and it is a fantastic opportunity for me. When you have one of the biggest clubs in the world even considering you will be good enough for them, it is a massive compliment. I think at times I’ll be star-struck, but I’m not nervous. When I started to play for Fulham I got a few nerves, but I’ve played now and have started to get used to it.”