Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night, as the Reds take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
19.10.2022 - 12:07 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Jose Mourinho reckons former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling ought to be handed a shock England recall for the impending World Cup finals in Qatar. Mourinho and Smalling are currently working together with AS Roma after their respective spells at Old Trafford.
Smalling, 32, signed for the Italian side in 2020 after initially spending time with the club on loan. He has made 110 appearances for Roma in all competitions following his decade-long stay with United.
England manager Gareth Southgate will name his provisional World Cup squad in the coming days and among his biggest concerns are in the defensive areas. Right-backs Kyle Walker and Reece James are currently injured - while United captain Harry Maguire has also been on the treatment table.
READ MORE: Every word from Ten Hag press conference
Set to return to training, though, there is no doubt Maguire will book his seat on the plane. But should the centre-back who he replaced also earn international recognition for the first time since 2017?
Mourinho certainly believes so and has delivered a strong message to Southgate about his player. Smalling has 31 caps to his name having been given his senior debut by Fabio Capello shortly after the World Cup in 2010.
Roma were 1-0 winners against Sampdoria on Monday night, while Mourinho was asked about the former United man during his post-match press conference. He said: "He was taught to play in a two-man defence in Manchester, but now he's got the perfect acumen to play in a three-man backline.
"If I were the coach of a national team, I would do anything to have someone like him at my disposal. I don't think it's a lack of respect to Gareth Southgate when I say that I feel sorry for a player who's playing at such
Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night, as the Reds take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Manchester United will be looking to break into the Premier League top four on Sunday when they face Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Owen Hargreaves says four players currently have their positions nailed down in the Manchester United team.
Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's Europa League tussle with Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford this evening, making a handful of changes.
Chris Smalling has been an integral part of the Roma team for a number of years now but his game has enhanced further under Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has impressed Gary Neville after overseeing a positive response to the team's crushing loss in the Manchester derby at the beginning of the month.
Manchester United could shuffle their pack for Thursday's Europa League clash with Omonia Nicosia.
Anthony Martial could return for Manchester United against Newcastle on Sunday but has been ruled out of their Europa League return tie with Omonia Nicosia.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has missed the last three games with an injury he picked up while away on England duty last month. However, reports from ESPN suggest the £80million defender is confident about being able to prove his fitness before Gareth Southgate names his World Cup squad.
Legendary Arsenal striker Ian Wright believes that Jude Bellingham could reject Liverpool in favour of a move to Manchester City, should he decide to leave Borussia Dortmund.
In his 200 games for Manchester United, Victor Lindelof has played at centre-back with eight different partners, but in a period of turmoil and turnover in that position he has been the great survivor.
It still feels like the dust has barely settled following England's historic European Championship triumph back in July, but on Friday evening the Lionesses were back at Wembley creating more history.
Jack Grealish has spoken about the prospect of making his World Cup debut later this year.
Pep Guardiola does not know whether Kyle Walker will be fit for the World Cup after confirming he will be out for weeks with an abdominal injury.
Manchester United's training squad ahead of their return to Europa League action does not include Raphael Varane.
Here are your Manchester United evening headlines on Tuesday, October 4.