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Meeting Sir Alex Ferguson convinced me to sign for Manchester United - Fulham defender Chris Smalling
Defender reveals "incredible" meeting with decorated Scotsman
9 Mar 2010 10:37:00
By Alan Dawson
An "incredible" meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson convinced burgeoning centre-back Chris Smalling to sign for Manchester United.
A non-League footballer just two years ago, towering defender Smalling's rise has been meteoric. The current Fulham stopper completed a move to the pinnacle of the Premier League in the winter window, when Ferguson allegedly sought to find the long-term successor to Rio Ferdinand.
Smalling, who also courted interest from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, met Ferguson prior to United's League Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City, and it is this personal touch that prompted the player to commit to terms with the reigning Premier League champs.
"For him [Ferguson] to come down the day before a big game was a huge compliment," he explained to The Guardian. "That made it feel incredible.
"I went up the next day to the Manchester derby and got to meet some of the players afterwards.
"I went to see the training ground, did the medical, and everyone was very welcoming.
"When Sir Alex came and met me and I went to go up and visit, I had the gut feeling this was the place for me to continue my football education."
A non-League footballer just two years ago, towering defender Smalling's rise has been meteoric. The current Fulham stopper completed a move to the pinnacle of the Premier League in the winter window, when Ferguson allegedly sought to find the long-term successor to Rio Ferdinand.
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Smalling, who also courted interest from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, met Ferguson prior to United's League Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City, and it is this personal touch that prompted the player to commit to terms with the reigning Premier League champs.
"For him [Ferguson] to come down the day before a big game was a huge compliment," he explained to The Guardian. "That made it feel incredible.
"I went up the next day to the Manchester derby and got to meet some of the players afterwards.
"I went to see the training ground, did the medical, and everyone was very welcoming.
"When Sir Alex came and met me and I went to go up and visit, I had the gut feeling this was the place for me to continue my football education."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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