Chris Smalling: Confident United's run of form will continue

Chris Smalling is confident a tricky run of fixtures will not stop Manchester United's momentum over the next few weeks.

United made it four Premier League wins on the trot when they beat Stoke 2-1 on Tuesday night although they were less than convincing and had David de Gea and Ashley Young to thank for late goal-line blocks to preserve victory.

Stern tests await Louis van Gaal's side before Christmas with a trip to Southampton next Monday followed by the visit of fierce rivals Liverpool, themselves in inconsistent form.

But Smalling says United should fear no-one at the moment, especially with some of their injured players due to return in time for the busy festive spell of games.

Big games

The England defender said, when asked if he felt United could win their forthcoming games: "Yes I think we can. I think at the moment we are in such a good run of form. We have got that belief back.

"Now we will work hard for the rest of the week because we have got two big games next week (that could) put us up there with the boys around us.

"We have had two good performances where we have played some good football. If we can keep this run going I think we will get better.

"We are happy playing games and getting the results. It is a happy place at the minute. I think we are starting to get a good number of players that are playing regularly and I think it is showing."

Marouane Fellaini, one of United's scorers on Tuesday, echoed Smalling's comments about the increasing confidence within the United squad.

He said: "We have to take it game by game and we will see after. We have a lot of games and we have to (keep winning) - at Southampton as well. They are better in the table than us and we'll see on Monday.

"We know each other a lot better, we know the manager and the staff, we know the philosophy of the manager. We train hard as well so we have to continue like that. We have to continue to play to win, it's important for the confidence."

Watch United take on Southampton in the Premier League next Monday - coverage starts on Sky Sports 1 at 7:00pm.