Manchester United will reject any bids for Chris Smalling even though Leicester and West Brom are poised to make offers
Old Trafford defender has been forced to watch on while Phil Jones and Eric Bailly form reliable partnership
MANCHESTER UNITED will reject any late bids for Chris Smalling as the transfer deadline fast approaches with both West Brom and Leicester poised to bid.
Smalling has been stuck on the bench for each of United’s opening three Premier League fixtures.
He has watched on as Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have struck up a centre-back partnership which has helped the Red Devils to three clean sheets.
But while they are the current first choice, Mourinho is determined to keep strength in depth in his squad now they are back in the Champions League.
Smalling will certainly get his chance in the opening Champions League group game against Basel on September 12 with both Bailly and Jones banned.
Bailly is serving the last of a three game European ban following his sending off in the Europa League semi-final second leg.
He was already excluded from the final of that competition and the Super Cup game against Real Madrid.
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Jones also missed the Real game and will serve his final game of a two match ban against Basel after abusing an ant-doping official following United’s Europa League final win.