Smalling was one of our best players under LVG. He absolutely was class, just needs to find that form again. Blind, Darmian and Lingard are all solid rotation options. Luke Shaw is still the first choice LB if he can ever stay fit though so its good that all of the above are little more than rotation options.
The Manchester Evening News had an article in Jan this year (which was half way through the season) in which they rated 18 players.
Smalling came 15th, Lingard was 17th and Darmian was 18th.
I certainly don't necessarily agree with MEN, but I do on this occasion.