GETTY Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has taken on the role of 'bully' in new-look defence

While the focus has been on United's struggle for goals, they have shown a stability at the back that will be vital as they bid to reach the Champions League group stages tomorrow. United take a 3-1 lead to Bruges for the second leg of their qualifying round well aware an early goal for the Belgians will change the dynamic of the tie.

Smalling agrees with former United defensive stalwart Rio Ferdinand that he is bullying opposing strikers more now, especially as he is playing alongside the more slightly built Daley Blind, in the absence of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo. He said: "I have always liked that competition with the striker and obviously Daley is not that sort of centre back who is going to dominate so it's a case of I take that mantle on and I am enjoying it.

"I feel like I bullied quite a few players in matches in the past but hopefully I can get the consistency where it can be on show every week now." Smalling believes the confidence and understanding of the defence has been helped by the fact manager Louis Van Gaal has been able to name an unchanged back four in every game so far, with Smalling and Blind flanked by full-backs Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw. That's a huge contrast from last season when a seemingly never-ending injury list meant Van Gaal was unable to name the same defence for more than two games in a row.

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