Latest reports from ESPN suggest that Manchester United are happy to offload Chris Smalling this summer.
ESPN reports:
Man United’s Jose Mourinho open to offers for Chris Smalling – sources
In a classic illustration of how Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal differ in terms of their approach the Portuguese has consigned the England international largely to the fringes of the first team squad this season.
Smalling has been injured for substantial periods but doesn’t appear to have the complete trust of the new Manchester United manager.
Conversely his Dutch predecessor and former mentor made Smalling captain last season and he was an integral part of a mediocre team. Smalling has made thirty appearances for England since his debut in 2011 and also played over 240 games for Manchester United since he signed from Fulham in 2010.
TFF has never been a huge fan of the player. He has really good pace and looked for a while as if you could fill the huge shoes of Rio Ferdinand.
But over time his distribution hasn’t improved and sometimes he looks as if he’s skating on ice. He isn’t going to be a stalwart of a classic Manchester United side.
Perhaps he will move to Arsenal or another Premier League side where he will surely have a decent if not stellar career.
Manchester United fans – is it time to get rid of the player or would it be a mistake to offload someone with such height and pace?