Top 99 Quotes & Sayings by Chris Smalling

It's nice when you can have that battle on the pitch and then there's respect after the game because, ultimately, you are just trying to do your best.

Even before I went vegan, in terms of cutting out red meat, my tendinitis and recovery after games was vastly improved.

When we're winning or losing, when we're doing warm-ups or even when I'm walking down the street, there are United fans talking to me. I think that's something we all love.

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.

I was playing regularly for United up to when I left.

It's hard to sit back and just go through your whole career, because everything's always moving so fast. But the odd milestone is always a nice moment, and when you look at the previous players to have hit those kind of milestones, it's nice to be in that company.

I think every manager has that, the so-called hairdryer treatment when things need a little turnaround.

Everyone becomes a lot more focused when you come towards the critical stages of the season.

A good pre-season is essential if you want to do well.

If you would have told me that I'd be in a European final back when I was at Maidstone then I wouldn't have believed you.

Obviously with a knee injury there are certain protocols that need to happen.

I think the more games the better and I am always one that would rather play than train.

As players you need to have thick skin and we need to have belief that you will have bad days but it's about making sure you have more good days than bad.

You just have to learn that you can't always go and win that ball and there are certain moments to do it.

I didn't see myself playing regularly at right-back for Manchester United or making my England debut in that position.

I love a challenge and when a new centre-back comes in it makes you raise your game. You have to show more, you have to be more consistent.

Just to be able to be at a club like Manchester United for so long when I first joined, you never know how it's going to turn out.

Hopefully I can take my chances when I get them.

When you come to Manchester United, in every transfer window - whether the team is doing well or badly - there are always players linked with the club because this club is always linked with the best players.

I think racism is unacceptable and should not be stood for. It is not an issue just in Italy, it is around the world.

A manager has to have all different sides covered.

Throughout my career I have developed a thick skin against verbal abuse, justifying it as just 'part of the game' but the time has come for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to consider regulating their channels, taking responsibility for protecting the mental health of users regardless of age, race, sex or income.

I knew when I did get a consistent run that I could go from height to height.

I wish I knew in terms of more educated in food when I was younger. Because the importance of it not just in sport but in life too has helped me and I think it'll continue.

Everyone has their own traits but if you are being compared to players like Rio Ferdinand then you must be doing something well and hopefully I can keep that going.

You're never going to be bulletproof, but if you're feeding yourself good food and making sure you're eating the right supplements, I think you reduce the chances of getting any niggling injuries.

I just try to do my best and try to be a part of the team.

To have a chance at a big club, if it goes well and the club is happy and I am happy, then I can definitely see a longer-term future in Italy.

I think I've played a lot in the Premier League and now I can bring my qualities that I've learned to Italy, and that is something I am looking forward to.

You can't rest on six months of good performances because as soon as you have a blip, there is always another player to take your place.

I am used to playing when I am fit.

At home we try to plan what we cook in the week.

It makes me very proud that a club like Manchester United have wanted me to be here as long as I have been.

I want the supporters to know that we're always striving to improve.

I like Thai food, Jamaican stews with yam, pumpkin and sweet potato.

Transfer speculation during the off-season does spur you on.

As players we don't want to be sitting on the touchline or watching the games in the directors' box. That is no fun.

Playing in the Manchester derby definitely helped me.

It is nice to hear some positive words from the manager.

When you get the shirt and a position in the team, you don't want to give it up.

There are lots of aspects to work on my game, which the coaches do with me every day.

We take more risks at United than the majority of teams but the manager wants us to play.

The FA Cup is notoriously unpredictable.

At cricket, I was mainly a bowler and tried to bat. I hit the odd four or six and then got out! In athletics, I was mainly triple jump and 200m.

I understand that I am in an extremely privileged position and I am deeply thankful for that but, at the end of the day, we are all human.

You can have so many different demands; trying to please the fans, pleasing the manager, please yourself.

I know from playing against Mata that he's a great player.

I always hoped I'd get a chance to prove myself at the top level because I believed I could do it, but making your way up the football ladder is very tough.

Anyone who wants to be a centre-half would have to say that John Terry is a role model. Every centre-half in the game would agree with that. It is the way he leads the team and the way he reads the game.

I think Serie A has always been a goal of mine to play in one day, because as a defender if you get the chance to experience Serie A you want to do it.

All you can do is let your football do the talking.

I just have to make sure that, whenever an opportunity arises, I keep taking them.

You know that without the whole team working together, it's a very hard job for the defenders, so everyone plays a part.

You learn that you can't take what's happened in the previous years for granted.

Of course you want to be playing in the summer.

Ultimately it's the simple things that make a difference.

You can't have two or three games where you let your level drop.

I just want to do my best.

I guess football is a game of opinions.

Fabio Capello has probably seen me play more games at centre-half but for him to have the faith in me to play in a different position is great for my confidence and I hope I did him justice.