Manchester United defender Chris Smalling insists he has nothing to prove after Jose Mourinho criticism

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Chris Smalling has defended criticism of his fitness record as the Manchester United defender insisted he doesn’t need to be ‘pain free’ to play.

Though last season was one of the most successful of his career, with United winning two trophies, it was also one of the most contentious Smalling has experienced due to a succession of injury problems that limited him to 36 appearances for United.

His unavailability was a bone of contention for Jose Mourinho. The Manchester United manager was left red-faced in November when, after telling MUTV Smalling didn’t feel he could play “100 per cent without pain”, Sportsmail revealed he had badly broken his toe. 

Chris Smalling looks on during Englang training ahead of Saturday's clash with Scotland

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been critical of Smalling's fitness record

Mourinho brought Smalling’s fitness back onto the agenda in April when saying he was “too cautious” in his rehabilitation, having been injured on international duty in March. The perception, however, that he needs to be injury-free is one that annoys the 27-year-old.

‘To be honest, I don't think any player is ever 100 per cent,’ said Smalling. ‘There's always something. Out of the whole squad there is going to be some niggle. As players, it's not about always being 100%. It's about going on the pitch and doing a job. We're always managing things.’

Smalling maintains he has a good relationship with Mourinho and the manager’s comments were born of frustration but he took the chance to explain what he had been through over the past 12 months. 

When asked about Mourinho’s “cautious” comment, Smalling said: ‘I think that was sort of directed at everybody in many ways … we had a lot of injuries at that time and he was frustrated that quite a lot of players weren’t available. He knew the picture in terms of liaising with the medical staff. 

Mourinho has appeared unimpressed by the number of games the Englishman has missed

‘He was just as frustrated as us who want to be on the pitch. That was just a global frustration. (Before that) I had done the injury (broken toe); I played on and there was obviously a break. He didn’t know the full extent at that time.

‘You just keep playing until literally physically you can’t and that was the story with the break. But I don’t think he knew the full picture then and once it was cleared up it was all good. I had a couple of injections (to play against Chelsea in October). Soon after that it got worse and I had a lay-off. 

‘You always want to push yourself because you don’t want to let the players or the fans down because you train with them every day. It’s just an unfortunate season with injuries. The manager has shown his frustration but we are just as frustrated. Now I am fit and ready to go. 

Smalling (right) tussles with Chelsea striker Diego Costa at Stamford Bridge in March

‘I don't think I've got anything to prove (to Mourinho) as such. He knows my character, he knows what type of player I am and that's not changed.’

With England, however, Smalling realises he has something to prove. He has only played once since starting the ill-fated game against Iceland at Euro 2016 and there are no guarantees he will make the team that Gareth Southgate selects for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Scotland.

‘When injuries come up there is always someone else who steps in and if they do well then you have to knock them out the team,’ said Smalling. ‘When you are injured it’s a double blow because you can’t play and someone else is taking your place.

‘Once you get back fit it is about showing the manager what you can do and I am always up for that battle.’

Smalling alongside Gary Cahill (left) and Phil Jones (right) at St George's Park on Wednesday