After a troubled start to the campaign, United's victory over Arsenal on Sunday moved them into fifth spot, just five points adrift of the Gunners, who remain at the head of the table.
Following three defeats in their opening eight games, it is not a position the Red Devils anticipated being in and their rivals may end up ruing not being able to make more of the transition undergone following David Moyes' arrival as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.
Certainly, Smalling can see some positive times ahead once the current international break is over.
"We are starting to show a bit more form and consistency," Smalling told www.manutd.com.
"That's positive given how we started the season.
"It's starting to come together now and come January and the new year, we'll be really flying and showing that consistency United have become known for over many years."
Not that Moyes' men have it particularly easy when they resume combat later this month.
A visit to Cardiff, one of the places Manchester City have already been beaten, is followed by a Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen, then a December 1 outing at Tottenham.
After that, Everton head to Old Trafford in what is sure to be an emotional occasion given the number of Toffees who accompanied Moyes to Old Trafford this summer.
Then United face a Newcastle outfit who, much like themselves, are creeping up the league after a dismal start, before their Champions League qualification fate is determined against Shakhtar Donetsk on December 10.
Yet, on an unbeaten run of nine games, Smalling accepts United have no reason to worry about anything.
"After the international break, we have got three tough away games but we can approach them with a lot of confidence," he said.
"The run of results we are on at the minute shows we can go anywhere."
Source: PA
Source: PA