Football: Sir Alex Ferguson happy with Smalling, Fulham expect a “big-name” manager
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced his opinion about Chris Smalling, who joined United from Fulham this season, and was satisfied with the defender’s performance. Sir Alex praised the defender’s ability when he partnered Johnny Evans in United’s first pre-season fixture against Glasgow Celtics. United won the match 3-1, thanks to goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley.
Both first choice central defenders were unavailable for selection, as Rio Ferdinand is injured and Nemanja Vidic is on a post World Cup break. Both Evans and Smalling formed a formidable partnership in defence, which was rock solid. They played a key role in the victory for United on Friday. The match was held in Toronto, and was the first of the five pre-season matches to be played.
Smalling still has a long way to go, as he is only 20 years of age. His clumsy challenge on Joe Ledley led to a penalty which saw Glasgow equalise, as Georgios converted from the penalty squad, taking to the score to 1-1. United later won the match, when youngsters, Welbeck and Cleverley scored to take the score line to 3-1.
Manchester United manager was however happy with Smalling’s performance, who had only just made it into the Premier League. He was with a non-league side, Maidstone, eighteen months ago, and was to be credited for his performance at Rogers Centre.
Ferguson claimed that he was happy with Chris’s performance, and labelled him as being a good footballer. He added that Smalling was quick and is a good passer. He also said that the defender had good aerial ability as well, which was seen when he used his head quite a number of times after half time. He was unconcerned about the fact that he conceded a penalty kick, and backed Smalling, saying that he was only 20 and very young.
Johnny Evans was also delighted to play with former Fulham man, stating that he had good time playing alongside him. Evans added that they tried to keep things simple with him. The Ireland international ended his comment claiming that Smalling was a great lad, who worked hard in training, and expected the defender to do wonders for the club in the future.
In other news, care taker manager for Fulham, Ray Lewington, hopes that Fulham should be able to sign a top quality manager. After the departure of Roy Hodgson from the side this season, Ray remains confident that a club like Fulham has the ability to attract a top notch manager.
Many expect Ajax Manager Martin Jol to coach the English club, while big names like Sven Goran Ericksson and Ottmar Hitzfeld are also speculated to join. Eriksson has coached the English national side and is the current coach of Ivory Coast. Hitzfeld, on the other hand, has won two Champions leagues, while coaching German sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
But Lewington didn’t name anyone, stating that Jol was “just another name” rumoured with the club. He however confirmed that the club’s directors would be aiming for a big name coach for their club. Ray added that Fulham was a big club, and is therefore, capable of attracting big name managers to their side.
Martin Jol would need to consider a lot of things if he is to arrive at Craven Cottage this season, as he has the chance to manage Ajax into the Champions League this season. Lewington, who is in charge temporarily at Fulham, claimed that he was in the dark as to who would replace Hodgson. Ray was however hopeful that the legacy Hodgson had left at the club would be enough to attract a top class manager.
The former Watford manager was unsure as to whether he would be in charge when Fulham tours Sweden. One thing was for sure, however, that till the time Fulham finds a new manager, Ray Lewington would be in charge.
"We go for the top now. Having had Roy, you need to bring in someone of that stature to match him”, claimed the care taker manager Ray Lewington.
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