From the opening response in an engaging 45-minute discussion, it becomes evident that Chris Smalling stands apart from typical footballers.

A path that carried the 36-year-old from non-league Maidstone to a Champions League final within three years has so far produced 580 club matches across three nations, mostly under Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho, along with 31 England appearances and silverware at Manchester United and Roma.

This journey has now returned Smalling and his family to northwest England as he maps out what comes next.

Smalling holds ideas for life beyond the pitch yet right now his attention stays on securing a new team.

"I understand my body better than at age 26 and that shows in the matches I complete," he said.

"As a younger player I recall Sir Alex introducing ideas such as Ryan Giggs practicing yoga.

"Past 30 each season grows valuable for relishing the game and staying devoted to football.

"Real training lasts only briefly. Long-term fitness and recovery begin early through diet and activity between sessions, right down to my nutrition aids now.

"During pre-season blood tests occur and clubs offer guidance. I took an extra step with genetic analysis that examines everything in depth. Many of my supplements were adjusted as a result."

Smalling featured in every game for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro-League last season, a fact he values highly.

His playing days continue. Yet 18 years earlier Smalling never pictured reaching such heights.

"It was not even plan D," he remembered.

"I was at Maidstone yet set to attend university for financial economics.

"Everything was arranged. I held my A levels and eyed other non-league sides near Leicester since I still wished to play.

"The chance arrived very late in summer. I knew the odds of an offer were slim but I had to try my utmost."

The proposal came from Fulham. Roy Hodgson observed one training match, summoned Smalling to his office and presented a deal.

"It was not even a full week," said Smalling. "I had no moment to process it. I felt complete surprise."

It would not be the final occasion Hodgson placed Smalling in a spot with little time to reflect.

He belonged to the Fulham group that journeyed to Blackburn for a Premier League fixture on 17 January 2010. In the end the then 20-year-old took no part in the 2-0 loss.

For him the key moment of the trip happened the night before.

"Talk had circulated about other clubs but never Manchester United," he said.

"Roy took me aside from the coach, explained Fulham had accepted a bid and Sir Alex would reach the hotel in 45 minutes. I phoned my mum first yet then sat in the room wondering how awkward it might feel and what questions I could pose.

"We stayed together for at least a couple of hours. He was calm and reassuring.

"Even I questioned it because they possessed so many fine centre-backs. I wanted to grow and asked myself how I would fit.

"He assured me I would receive opportunities and he had faith in me.

"Sharing the dressing room, the pitch and talks with him remains remarkable."

That personal touch is what Smalling believes distinguishes elite managers.

Outsiders often recall his tie with Mourinho through a public remark from the Portuguese in November 2016 about reluctance to play while injured.

Smalling sees it differently.

"At United or Roma Jose selected me for most matches because we shared a strong bond and he trusted me.

"It is simple to sway younger players yet the gift of Sir Alex and Jose lay in building that confidence among senior players. Many managers deliver strong speeches but when they look players in the eye and show genuine passion and conviction that success will come, the veterans commit and the group unites. That marks the quality of top managers.

"In that case I received injections for a broken toe because he had instilled the mindset that I could achieve anything, even when perhaps I should not have. I had reached the injection limit, had to halt during a warm-up and he felt let down.

"It gave me greater belief since it would have been simple to pick another centre-back yet he wanted me."

Smalling keeps in touch with Mourinho and sent good wishes when the coach took charge at Real Madrid this summer.

He holds no plans to follow his former manager into coaching.

"I do not think that will be my path," he said. "I feel at ease with the next phase.

"I am developing an education scheme for young players in partnership with the Global Institute of Sport that will launch soon. I have three or four projects of this kind.

"When my football career ends I can devote more time to them but currently everything centres on playing because I retain that passion and drive and my physical numbers remain strong."

Any club that signs Smalling gains more than a player alone.

He contributed positively to Al-Fayha off the field by ensuring the gym met the standards required by elite modern players.

He takes pride that at every prior club he is remembered warmly and left a beneficial mark both on and off the pitch.

Declining the university place proved wise.

"It would have been the safer choice," he said.

"In that first year I earned modest money. I played for the reserves and served as the 19th man for the first team, travelling yet rarely on the bench. Nothing guaranteed I would earn more later.

"When I joined United it was a four-year deal. After the first year I signed a new one, another a year later and another 18 months after that.

"There was always that incentive. I never assumed anything."