Phil Neville has handed Manchester United’s defence with a vote of confidence, after insisting that the club were right in keeping defender Chris Smalling.
United were offered former Arsenal skipper Thomas Vermaelen during the summer, but only if the Red Devils allowed Smalling to come the other way.
A deal broke down with United rejecting the opportunity to allow Smalling leave, with the current defence at Old Trafford coming under fire in recent weeks.
‘I wouldn’t swap Chris Smalling for Thomas Vermaelen,’ Neville defiantly told BBC radio.
‘You’re talking about Arsenal’s third choice centre-back who couldn’t get in a side which were leaking goals in the big games, and you’ve got England’s best young centre-back – along with Phil Jones – and you don’t get rid of your English spine.
‘I am certain he’ll come good and I have full faith in Phil Jones as well.’
By Ollie Brown
