Smalling's impressive exploits were rewarded with the offer of a new five-year deal with the club which he signed in July 2011.

Smalling continued to underline his value to the squad at the start of the following season - albeit at right-back rather than centre-half for the majority of the opening half of the campaign - and even got himself on the score-sheet during United's dramatic Community Shield win over Manchester City and the Reds' league victory over Chelsea in September. He had a woeful run of luck with injuries thereafter with a groin strain, cracked bone in his foot, a bout of tonsillitis and a nasty head wound (picked up

on duty with England). He ended the campaign in the treatment room as well thanks to another groin strain, which ruled him out of Euro 2012, while metatarsal surgery in July 2012 meant another 10 weeks on the sidelines. Chris will certainly be hoping for a change in fortunes sooner rather than later.