Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has said that he has a long way to go before he can be compared with club legends such as Rio Ferdinand.

The 26-year-old was one of the best United performers under Louis van Gaal last season and helped the club achieve the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League.

But the England international knows very well that one season does not make a player and is eager to back it up in 2016/17 with an equally impressive individual campaign.

"It was one that was very consistent," he said of his form last season.

"I always knew that if I can stay injury-free and just start the season very well, and get a good run, that I always could produce consistent performances.

"It's nice to have done it over the last 18 months but it is about continuing it now, do it for many years to be considered a very good centre-back.

"There's the ones like Rio who have done it for year after year after year, not just one year and then having a blip (the) next year.

"It's about that consistency with central defenders, and that's what all managers want."