Manchester United defender Chris Smalling to hold talks with the club over his future as he seeks assurances of first team football

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Chris Smalling will hold talks with Manchester United to clarify his future at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old England defender has no plans to leave but wants to be sure that he will be given enough first-team football ahead of the World Cup next summer.

United’s £31million signing of Victor Lindelof from Benfica has pushed Smalling down the pecking order with the Swede and Eric Bailly set to be Jose Mourinho’s first-choice partnership in central defence.

 Chris Smalling will hold talks with Manchester United to clarify his future at Old Trafford

The 27-year-old (left) has found starting opportunities increasingly hard to come by

With Marcos Rojo sidelined until mid-season as he recovers from a serious knee injury and United set for another busy campaign following their return to the Champions League, Smalling is confident that he will play enough games.

But if Mourinho signs another centre-back this summer, it would put a significant question mark over the ex-Fulham defender’s future.

The United boss was openly critical of Smalling on several occasions last season, questioning his mental toughness and desire to return from injury.

West Ham and West Brom have both been expressed an interest in signing him, but it’s understood that Smalling would only consider joining another Champions League club if he changed his mind and decided to leave.

He has been on honeymoon in the Seychelles after marrying his partner, and is due to report for pre-season training with the rest of the squad on Friday before leaving for a tour of the United States 24 hours later.

The Englishman (centre) wants assurances ahead of the World Cup next summer