---
title: "Smalling: “I can’t shake off nickname”"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/10/27/smalling-i-cant-shake-off-nickname/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd News"
published: "2015-10-27T12:34:13Z"
modified: "2015-10-27T15:03:12Z"
---

# Smalling: “I can’t shake off nickname”

Chris Smalling has been in fine form this season for Manchester United this season, but the England international has revealed that fans still call him ‘Mike’ wherever he goes.

That of course, is a reference to Louis van Gaal’s gaffe in the pre-season tour of the United States, where the United manager called the defender ‘Mike Smalling’ during a press conference.

Although the 25-year old has become one of the first names on the Dutchman’s team sheet after some stellar performances so far, Smalling has been unable to shake off the nickname.

![Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/10/4907114824.jpg)

Speaking to the [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3291351/Manchester-United-fans-call-Mike-s-going-stick-forever-reveals-Chris-Smalling-Louis-van-Gaal-s-funny-gaffe.html), he said:

> The players don’t call me Mike, but a lot of the fans do. Even if you go to Russia or wherever, it’s ‘Mike! Mike! Mike!’ It’s going to stick with me forever, that one.

Wayne Rooney [recently described](https://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/Oct/Wayne-Rooney-interview-Chris-Smalling-among-best-in-world.aspx) Smalling as being ‘among the best centre-backs in the world, and van Gaal has earmarked him as a future United captain. The 25-year old is determined to prove them right:

> When you hear such good praise, especially from Wazza (Rooney) and the manager, you just want to show them that it’s not just words that are meaningless. I think with two of the older players going in (Nemanja) Vidic and Rio (Ferdinand) there was a case where you needed someone to step up and I saw that as my opportunity to step up. Touch wood it will keep going.

As long as Smalling keeps this form up, it won’t matter if the United fans call him ‘Mike’, the ‘Maidstone Maldini’ or even ‘Mike Smalldini’. He is certainly developing into a fan favourite at Old Trafford, and slowly turning into a pivotal figure for the Reds.