Chris Smalling relishing competition for places

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has declared that he is ready to play anywhere David Moyes selects him as he eyes a regular first-team role.

Smalling started at right-back for United last night in a 4-2 success in their Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen.

The England international hailed their dominant display at Old Trafford, while insisting that he is more than happy to operate at centre-back if Moyes needs cover as games come thick and fast.

He told Sky Sports News: "I've been training really hard and whether it's right-back or centre-back, I'm ready.

"They were very sloppy goals from our point of view considering they didn't create many chances, but we didn't let our heads drop when they scored and we went up the other end and made them pay.

"We had really good movement in terms of Antonio, Wazza and Robin really running at them and that put them on the back foot."

The 23-year-old faces a fight to keep his place in the starting XI this weekend, with United facing the season's first Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.