Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has admitted he was thankful of goal-line technology, as his close-range effort crossed the line by a matter of inches against Hull City.
I didn't think it was over the line initially. Thankfully the goalline technology gave it.
The England international opened the scoring in the 16th minute as his side recorded a comfortable victory over Hull City, after goalkeeper Allan McGregor fumbled his attempt in a goalmouth scramble.
However, he has admitted he didn’t think he had initially scored, before goal-line technology indicated to referee Anthony Taylor that Smalling had found the net for the first time since Boxing Day last year – against the same opposition. He shared his doubts with MUTV, saying:
"I didn't think it was over the line initially. Thankfully the goalline technology gave it. I think [if] it’s a case of whether it’s over or not, the [technology] takes away that doubt.
"The manager said it was our best game of the season and I think it was. It was a complete performance. I think he said of the Arsenal result that we ground that out without particularly playing well, but this time we did. He’s said he wants six points and we want to deliver that on Tuesday against Stoke."
We’ve been so unfortunate with injuries but we’ve managed to stick together.
An ongoing battle with injuries forced Louis van Gaal to reorganise his starting XI once again, but Smalling reiterated his place at the back alongside a surprise inclusion for Marcos Rojo.
Having been ruled out of action until the New Year before a number of media outlets, Rojo’s start shocked fans – while Luke Shaw was ruled out. As Ashley Young made his way into the line-up, it was substitute Ander Herrera that earned the praise of Smalling, who added:
"We’ve been so unfortunate with injuries but we’ve managed to stick together and roll with it. Ander's passing game is something the manager likes, and he kept us moving."
Smalling has featured for the Red Devils competitively seven times this season.