Ex-Manchester United centre-back Gary Pallister has insisted that there are similarities between his former defensive partner Steve Bruce and Chris Smalling.

Smalling's rise from non-League football with Maidstone United to being a mainstay in the United rearguard has resulted in comparisons with Pallister, who took a similar path during his career.

However, Pallister has claimed that the 25-year-old is a defender more in the mould of Bruce and Nemanja Vidic.

"I would probably liken Chris more to Brucey and Nemanja. He loves the defending side of the game, which is what we've needed from a centre-half, to just be aggressive, be tough, make the tackles and head the balls, dominate the penalty box. All the things that Brucey was and I wasn't," he told United Review.

"He's now a proper defender. He's more confident, he's enjoyed a good run in the team and he's enjoyed the responsibility the manager has given him in making him captain on occasions."

England international Smalling has featured in all 12 of United's Premier League games this term.