Chris Smalling believes that Manchester United are close to regaining the consistent form of years gone by.

Louis van Gaal's men are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches, the latest of which saw them collect a 0-0 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur.

Such a sequence of results has convinced centre-back Smalling that following last season's struggles under the management of David Moyes, the Red Devils are now on the right track.

"The start of the season was disappointing but recently we've been able to pick up some good results. We went on a great winning run, and it was a shame that we didn't get the result we deserved against Tottenham," he told MUTV.

"Hopefully when we get everyone back we can have the consistency which Manchester United have had over the years. I think we're getting there."

Tomorrow, United will put their unbeaten run on the line against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.