Manchester United defender Chris Smalling admits he owes his career to England coach Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson snapped up Smalling for Fulham from non-league Maidstone United.

Smalling said: "When I first went on trial at Fulham, Roy watched one of the practice games with the reserves. He called me into his office afterwards. We had a general chat and he talked about his own time at Maidstone.

"Roy's a really easy guy to talk to and get on with. He's somebody you want to play for.

"I spent the first year in the reserves but trained with the first team a lot of the time. Then the next year he put me in the side.

"It was quite an experienced team and I was a young lad but he gave me great belief.

"I don't think I'd be here today without Roy.

"He is probably the one I need to thank the most. Roy let me showcase myself in a league where it is not easy to blood youngsters. Roy believed in me and I thank him for that.

"He may be 64 but he has no problem getting on with young players.

"Roy's out on the training pitch every day. He relishes that side of the game and being in the thick of it.

"That's the only way you can see the players improving and see if they are on the same wavelength."