Chris Smalling reportedly set for United boot

England international and former Manchester United Players' Player of the Year Chris Smalling could be set to leave Old Trafford this summer. That’s according to an ‘exclusive’ in the Sun, who report that an array of teams, stretching in ability from West Bromwich Albion to Arsenal, are interested in signing the 27-year-old.

The Sun claim that Smalling’s axing would be a ‘sensational’ one, though that is an exaggeration of, well, characteristic proportions. We know how the Sun like to ham things up. Last season even the likes of Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones were preferred to Smalling at centre-back by José Mourinho, and with Swedish centre-half Victor Lindelöf having arrived from Benfica already this summer, Smalling could find his chances further limited if he chooses to stay at United. It’s really no surprise he’s set to be shipped out.

Smalling’s a perfectly capable player, and would doubtless make a great signing for any of the mid-table Premier League sides — especially Arsenal. Perhaps that’s the kind of move he needs to really push on and re-establish himself as one of the division’s best defenders.