Manchester United, Smalling; "Rooney is our point of reference"

• 26 set 2016

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has jumped to the defence of club captain Wayne Rooney after the England striker was relegated to the substitutes bench for Saturday's home win against champions Leicester City. Speaking to the clubs official website, Smalling explained that; "He is our captain, he is one of our main players and there is no doubt that he has got a big part to play".

He continued by stating that; "He is often the most vocal in the dressing room and he was the same today. Regardless of the situation, whether he is on the bench or playing, he is always the same character and that is why he is England’s main man and our main man. I think he is a very experienced guy and he has played that many games it is only a matter of time before he is back in there and firing again because he is quality."

There had been calls for manager Jose Mourinho to rest his misfiring skipper after an indifferent start to the new campaign and the Portuguese tactician dropped the 30-year-old for Saturday's visit of the champions which United won 4-1 thanks to goals from Smalling, Mata, Rashford and a first of the season for big summer signing Paul Pogba.

S.M