Chris Smalling has had many ups and downs but is now talking Louis van Gaal’s language after a staggering turnaround at the heart of Manchester United's defence

• Chris Smalling is set to start for Manchester United against bitter rivals City
• 25-year-old has emerged as an integral part of Louis van Gaal's side 
• Smalling was sent off in the first Manchester derby last season
• Since then, Van Gaal now believes he could be a future United captain

By Mike Keegan For Mailonline

Published: 11:20 EST, 23 October 2015 | Updated: 11:45 EST, 23 October 2015

Just over a year ago Chris Smalling was sent off in Louis van Gaal's first derby as Manchester United manager.

The defender's side would go on to lose 1-0 and his new boss was not impressed.

'The second yellow card was stupid,' said the frank Dutchman.

Chris Smalling (left) is currently enjoying a breakthrough season at the heart of Manchester United's defence

Smalling earned a second yellow card in last season's first Manchester derby for this foul on James Milner

Smalling (right) was shown the red card by referee Michael Oliver as United were reduced to 10 men

United boss Louis van Gaal derided his defender's second yellow card as 'stupid' as United lost 1-0

Twelve months on and Smalling goes into the 170th meeting of the squabbling neighbours with Van Gaal talking him up as a future captain.

It is a staggering turnaround - but set against the context of the 25-year-old's time in the game so far it should not come as a surprise.

Smalling has had more ups and downs in seven years than most have in an entire career.

In 2008, after leaving Millwall for Maidstone as a teenager he was snapped up by Middlesbrough.

But within months he left the north east, citing homesickness.

Before long, however, he was on his way to Fulham, then of the Premier League, and within a year he had made his debut.

Smalling came to prominence at Fulham where he made his Premier League debut there within a year

The centre back poses for a photo alongside Sir Alex Ferguson (centre right) after joining United in 2010

In December 2009 he made his first Premier League start and before the end of January United announced they had agreed a fee.

Following a promising first season at Old Trafford, Smalling penned a new five-year deal.

With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic reaching the end of their time at the club, the understudy spent plenty of time in the first team.

It was hoped that he would learn from the vocal pair and become the new leader of United's defence.

However, communication remained an issue and then, in January 2014, came the Jagerbomber incident.

At a New Year's Fancy Dress Party in 2013, Smalling hit the headlines for his Jagerbomber choice of outfit

At a New Year's Fancy Dress Party within the privacy of his own home, Smalling sported a costume consisting of empty bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull strapped to his chest and connected to a mobile phone.

While it may have won points for imagination, and while he could reasonably have not expected a picture to be flogged to a red top, the taste was questionable.

Smalling made a quick apology in which he pointed out that 'no harm was intended whatsoever' and it is hard to argue with that.

However, when he initially struggled following the arrival of Van Gaal after the season of David Moyes misery, his career appeared to be heading south.

Perhaps the derby red card was a turning point.

Since then he has been on an upwards curve. In the return he scored in a 4-2 victory and on the summer tour was rechristened 'Mike' by Van Gaal, much to the delight of supporters. 

Smalling headers home United's fourth goal in their 4-2 victory over City in last season's derby at Old Trafford

The central defender wheels away in celebration after his goal extended the Red Devils lead

Smalling (left) kept Everton striker Romelu Lukaku at bay during United's 3-0 win at Goodison Park

Smalling's form has followed him into the England jersey and last Saturday, up against the robust threat of Everton's Romelu Lukaku, he was almost impeccable.

All of this has not been lost on his manager.

Van Gaal may be quick to criticise but he is also hands out praise where it is due.

'Wayne Rooney is the captain and so you don't have to worry and then Michael Carrick but when they are gone then Chris Smalling can do that,' he said this week.

'So I push him also in that situation. Every player makes the steps by himself to improve. I put him in the situation and I help him in the situation and I advise and the player can take it on board or not. It is his responsibility. He has done it by himself. There is a lot of advice.'

Van Gaal (right) has praised his defender's form this season - adding that he could be a future United captain

Perhaps surprisingly for a former school teacher, Van Gaal revealed he wanted Smalling to talk more.

'It is about how we defend as a team,' he explained. 'Smalling is a part of that and I wanted him to speak. He also has the talent to speak. That makes him easy to coach. Because of that I made him a leader of the team...I demand of my defenders that they speak.'

Smalling now appears to be talking his language.

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