Chris Smalling says the powers of recovery Manchester United have demonstrated in recent weeks reminds him of the attitude he encountered when Sir Alex Ferguson took him to Old Trafford eight years ago.

A dramatic late comeback against Newcastle United last month triggered an improved run of results that was maintained when Marcus Rashford’s added time winning goal secured a third win in four Premier League games at Bournemouth.

A poor first half display – Smalling admitted it was the worst of the season while manager Jose Mourinho said his side were fortunate not to be trailing by four goals or more at half-time – confirmed United are a long way short of their best and continue to look frail defensively. Smalling, the centre-back signed from Fulham in 2010, knows they cannot afford a repeat against Juventus in the Champions League group game this week, but saw grounds for optimism in the second half response.

Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Asmir Begovic - 6 Had little to do in the first half but made some great saves in the second to keep the scores level until the 92nd minute. Getty Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Simon Francis - 6 He was strong in defence and worked well with S Cook and Ake to hold a stable line, and gave Bournemouth attacking options on the right wing. Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Steve Cook - 7 He led the defence well covering the cracks that appeared and was comfortable on the ball, sending the wide men forward with some good long balls. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Nathan Ake - 8 What a superstar! He was a tour de force in defence for Bournemouth making challenges and blocks for fun, keeping Bournemouth from going behind on more than one occasion. Getty Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Adam Smith - 6 Linked well with Steve Cook making runs forward knowing the defender would play the ball over the top for him. AFP/Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Junior Stanislas - 7 Caused problems for Luke Shaw on the right wing and delivered lots of accurate balls into the box, setting up Wilson for the first goal. Getty Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Lewis Cook - 6 He was solid in mid-field, picking his passes well and creating chances for Bournemouth to try and score. Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Jefferson Lerma - 7 Showed his attacking qualities in the first half when linking with the front men and he was strong in the second half when Man Utd started to dominate. Getty Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Ryan Fraser - 6 With Stanislas and Wilson he looked quicker than the United defenders and caused them problems with his pace, getting in behind the back four on numerous occasions. Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings David Brooks - 7 He was always in the mix when Bournemouth’s goalscoring chances came up and he linked well with Wilson and Fraser, but his goal line clearance kept Bournemouth in the contest in the second half. Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Callum Wilson - 7 His run of form continues, he opened the scoring with an easy tap in, but he needed to time his run as to not be offside. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings David De Gea - 6 He’s always one of United’s best player as the four defenders in front of him are very poor. AFP/Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Ashley Young - 6 Struggled early on and allowed Fraser to get past him quite a few times but he recovered to provide some good attacking options. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Victor Lindelof - 5 Looked out of his depth and gets little assistance from his partner Smalling. When United have more possession, he looks okay but when their backs are against the wall he is suspect at best. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Chris Smalling - 6 Stealing a living at Manchester United, he makes too many mistakes too frequently. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Luke Shaw - 6 Provided options on the left when United eventually started to attack but was very poor trying to defend, especially early in the match. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Fred - 5 Tried his best to push the team forward but Bournemouth’s pace and intensity put him on the back foot a lot. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Nemanja Matic - 6 Couldn’t really impact the game as Bournemouth dominated the mid-field and passed the ball around him with ease. Man Utd via Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Paul Pogba - 7 You could see his frustration at not being able to impact the game as Bournemouth dominated possession, but he tracked back well and defended strongly. In the second half he played more freely and found Rashford in the box with a sublime pass to give United the winner. Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Juan Mata - 6 With Martial and Sanchez provided the attacking options for United, he linked especially well with Sanchez to create chances. REUTERS Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Anthony Martial - 8 Scored the equaliser in the first half and looked busy even when United were playing poorly. Getty Images Bournemouth vs Manchester United player ratings Alexis Sanchez - 7 Had moments of brilliance and moments to forget but he put in a solid performance up front. Getty Images

“Yes, we’re showing that attitude – never giving in and you can see that coming out,” said the defender when asked if the recent comebacks were a reminder of his three seasons spent under Ferguson. “No matter how bad that first half was, that second half we all believed we can go and win. It’s a great feeling and it’s bringing us closer together.”

Smalling knows Mourinho’s side will have to draw on other qualities if they are to emerge successfully from a challenging week that ends with Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, four days after the trip to Turin. However, Rashford’s assured late finish, coming after Anthony Martial’s 35th minute goal had cancelled out Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson’s 11th minute opener, means they will take a growing sense of momentum into the coming games.

“We know we’re going into a very tough week now but we have had some good results and October can be seen as a good month, considering it was probably one of our toughest months,” said Smalling. “Good results this week would galvanise us, knowing we’ve had some big games in October, gone toe-to-toe and picked up some good results. You can see after the international break we’ve got a lot of home games.”

A dip in results, however, will throw the focus back on to United’s failure to keep pace with the leading clubs this season. “It is not easy,” said Smalling, when asked about the criticism directed at the manager and players this season. “It is tough. Obviously the league is more competitive than ever, especially since when I joined. I think more teams are causing upsets and more teams are challenging and with that there comes more pressure. It is tough as players but we obviously love playing the game and playing for the club.

Chris Smalling sees similarities in United's recent wins to the Alex Ferguson era (Action Images via Reuters)

“This is a club that is talked about more than any other club and I think we as players need to stick together and ride out the tough times and stay together in the good and try to keep them flowing as much as we can.”

Acknowledging the club’s standing outside the top four hasn’t helped, the defender added: “The start of our season has put us in that position and we as players have to stand tall and the spotlight will be on us because we are supposed to be in the top four and we are not right now. We are doing everything we can to get there.”

Eddie Howe believes Callum Wilson deserves an England call-up (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Wilson’s goal was his sixth of the season and his all-round display strengthened his claims for a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. “I don’t really want to talk too much about it,” said the forward. “I don’t want to talk my way into the squad, I want to play my way in. I just want to focus on game by game and improve my game.”