Controversial call
Chris Smalling outrageously includes himself in his best all-time Manchester United XI
Defender left out the likes of Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Jaap Stam
CHRIS SMALLING picked his best Manchester United XI — and put himself in the team!
The defender has been linked all summer with a move away from Old Trafford — with West Brom leading the chase for the centre-back.
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But that has not stopped Smalling, who started out at non-league Maidstone, from making the controversial selection.
And the England star, 27, has been happy to overlook the likes of Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Jaap Stam to put himself in the line-up.
He said to fellow defender Phil Jones: “I think I need to stay because I think you’ve got to back yourself.
“I played with both of them (Ferdinand and Vidic) so I know their strengths and weaknesses.”
On leaving out Gary Neville, Smalling added: “He’s not (going to be happy). He’s going to be tweeting about it.”
United team-mate Juan Mata, also picked a team to celebrate Virgin Money’s first year as the club’s official UK financial services partner.
And the Spaniard said: “But this is a joke? It has to be a joke. So Chris put himself in? Then I’m going to take him off!”
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Jones also added: “Chris, I’m sorry mate but we’re all coming out of here.”
The campaign ‘United By You’ looks back at the last 25 years of players to choose the best Red Devils XI of the Premier League era.
Smalling added: “Scholesy’s a definite. As is Carras, so underrated.
“We’re going to have Robbo in as well. I need someone finishing it and Wazza is that perfect striker.
“There’s solidity at the back, two runners for midfield, goals and Wazza being able to do his stuff in there.”
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