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Chris Smalling has revealed how Manchester United's defence has transformed into the best in the Premier League.

No club has conceded as few goals as United in this season's top flight and Smalling has been central to all things good at the back for Louis van Gaal's side.

United have kept five consecutive clean sheets and have conceded just eight goals in 12 Premier League matches this campaign.

Last month Wayne Rooney named Smalling as one of the world's top three central defenders, but Smalling has put his and his teammates' solidarity at the back down to the defensive organisation of manager Louis van Gaal.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

"Over the last year we have had a very good record and in the last month we've had many clean sheets and as a back four, that's really pleasing,” Smalling told MUTV.

“We’ve been able to do that even when we've had a few changes in the back four and have stuck together.

"Everyone knows their jobs so it's great to be a part of such a good defensive unit, especially knowing that we've always got that chance of scoring at the other end if we can keep it tight.

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“I think a lot of managers say that it starts from the front and us as defenders know it helps our job when the front two strikers put that pressure on.

"If they can do that it makes our job a lot easier. You know that without the whole team working together, it's a very hard job for the defenders, so everyone plays a part.”