Chris Smalling is confident that Manchester United are good enough to produce much better performances than last night’s showing against Burnley and feels winning games despite playing poorly is the trait of a good team.
Despite a below par performance at home, a brace from Smalling and a penalty from Robin van Persie were enough to help Manchester United register an unconvincing 3-1 win over the Clarets.
Smalling, who replaced the injured Phil Jones in the sixth minute, scored with his first touch of the match and then gave the Red Devils the lead in the 45th minute, after Danny Ings equalised for Burnley in the 12th minute.
The England defender admits that the scoreline flattered the home side and they are aware that their performance in the first half left a lot to be desired.
But he indicated that winning despite playing poorly is the mark of a good team and believes that better performances from the Manchester United side are on the horizon.
relatedNewsStory
“It wasn’t a 3-1 scoreline game”, Smalling told MUTV.
“Especially in that first half, we all let ourselves down. We could have played much better.
“There is [more to come]. But the manager said in the dressing room that the first half was unacceptable and all the players know that.
“If we can win games playing that badly, then it shows that if we do play well and it all clicks, then there will be a lot better performances at Old Trafford, that’s for sure.”
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
