Chris Smalling: 'Manchester United players must show character against Watford'

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has said that it would be "unacceptable" if the North-West outfit lost to Watford on Sunday.

After losing to neighbours Manchester City last weekend, United were defeated by Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday night as they fell to back-to-back setbacks for the first time under Jose Mourinho.

United travel to Vicarage Road this weekend as they look to get back to winning ways, and Smalling has called on his teammates to "show a lot of character" against a team boosted by their impressive comeback against West Ham United last Saturday.

The 26-year-old told MUTV: "We don't have time to dwell on the defeat and we have a few days to recover now. We need to stand up and be counted on Sunday.

"We've got to show a lot of character because it's unacceptable to go and lose three games in a row."

Smalling made his first start of the season in the defeat at De Kuip.