MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 18:05:29| >> :60:487:487:

Chris Smalling aims for 'real success' next season

Chris Smalling says that he expects to be fighting for major honours next year after the club's Champions League return.

Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling has admitted that the club are not getting carried away with their return to the Champions League next season.

The Red Devils missed out on this year's tournament due to their seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season, but Louis van Gaal has steered them back into Europe's premier competition at the first time of asking.

However, Smalling has described it as only "a step" and expects the team to be challenging for trophies next year.

He told reporters: "It's not a season where we're massively celebrating, it's a step. Next season we know that won't be good enough. Hopefully next season we'll be having a parade with something to really cheer about.

"I think as the season's gone on, we've got better, but Chelsea's consistency from day one has won them the title. Sometimes they didn't play well and still won games."

United sit fourth in the league table.

ID:223682: cacheID:223682:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1885:
Written by
Charlie Bennett
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's English defender Chris Smalling (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match against Chelsea on September 18, 2011
Read Next:
Van Gaal: 'Smalling a leader'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!