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Chris Smalling insists Manchester United's mean defence under Jose Mourinho is down to strength in numbers.

The England centre-back has found his future at the club in question after spending much of the season on the sidelines and having his desire questioned by the Reds boss.

Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have all had significant playing as well as the 27-year-old at various points this season.

But all four of United's centre-backs have played their part in the Reds having the third best defensive record in the Premier League this season.

And Smalling believes the ingredients for that mean defence have been sewn on the training field.

"Yes definitely," he told manutd.com .

"I think in training we’re often playing with different partners and in any given game you never know what sort of forwards you’re going to be up against.

"I think a lot of that understanding is based around our training and what we do on a daily basis but I feel very comfortable with all of them and likewise they all feel comfortable because we play with each other every day."

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