Watch Manchester United vs Fulham live stream and highlights 9/4/11

Sir Alex Ferguson has given young defender Chris Smalling a vote of confidence despite having to opt for stalwart Rio Ferdinand in Wednesday night's clash between United and Chelsea. Ferdinand hadn't featured for over 2 months since a calf problem sustained in United's first defeat of the season at Wolves and Ferguson believes it was the right choice to resort back to his trusted defender as he managed to diffuse the strikeforce of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres.

"It was a terrible for me to explain to Chris Smalling that he wasn't playing given the way he has performed for us this season,'' said Ferguson. "He understood. He is part of the squad and he won't be forgotten.

"But it's Rio's experience isn't it. He has such composure. He talks to players. When Antonio Valencia went to full-back he was talking all the time. He was phenomenal." The live match takes place at Old Trafford and kicks off at 3pm.

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