Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has stated that title rivals Manchester City will capitulate if the Premier League champions continue to put pressure on them.
Both sides won at the weekend against leading opponents, which maintains a three-point lead at the top for Roberto Mancini’s men.
Despite having a deficit to make up, Smalling feels United can pressurise City into slipping up.
“Soon enough, if we keep ticking these wins then they’ll crumble,” he told The Manchester Evening News.
The Red Devils beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates on Sunday, and Smalling was full of praise for team-mate and winning goalscorer Danny Welbeck.
“It was a massive win for us.
“Even at 1-1, we all knew that we really needed to win this game because of what happened earlier, and I think we showed real character.
“If Danny can keep this form all the way through the year, I think he’s going to have a great end to the season and a great summer as well.
“He’s come on leaps and bounds. He always had that pace and that finishing ability.
“But now he’s obviously a lot stronger because when he plays up on his own or Wazza’s (Wayne Rooney) just off him, he needs to be strong and we can’t lose the ball.
“I think that’s something that he’s really gained and he’s scoring goals. He’s had a knack of scoring good goals this year and at vital times as well.
“Last year, he did well at Sunderland and this year he’s getting his chance,” the defender concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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