Real Sociedad 0-0 Man Utd: 5 Key Things We Learned

4. Chris Smalling Stakes A Claim At Right Back

Moyes was without Brazilian fullback Rafael for this trip. Smalling deputized and deputized well. The England defender kept Sociedad box of tricks Antoine Greizmann quiet for long spells and his only flair came when keeping a difficult crossfield ball in play. Somewhat surprisingly the hosts' wingers did not swap sides. Smalling thus never got the test of former Arsenal man Carlos Vela. He certainly gives more protection in defence and tucked in well on the odd occasion crosses came into the box from the other side. There is still room for improvement though. Smalling's crossing left a lot to be desired when he got up the right-hand side to support attacks.