Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has insisted that he is happy to fight for his place should the club sign Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid this summer.
Manager Louis van Gaal suggested to journalists in California that the Spaniard could be in the "process" of moving to Old Trafford.
Smalling's position at the back will be under threat should the 29-year-old join the Red Devils, but the England international has no concerns.
"I think it's a case of at Manchester Untied there's always competition," Smalling told reporters.
"Even when I signed there were five centre-backs who I had to work hard to get past, so I always knew I was going to be compared against the best because United can always challenge for the best, and I'm up for that challenge."
Smalling signed a new four-year deal at the club in April.
