4 Players Manchester United should off-load

Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling has failed to win over the Manchetser United faithful.

He was touted as Manchester United's center-back for the future when he signed for a reported $8 million transfer fee from Fullham back in July of 2010 (transfermarkt.com). And in a sense he has, he still remains in the club and is still a regular first team player.

He just signed a new contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2022, with an option to extend a further year (BBC) amid interest from fellow Premier League rivals Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers. But was it the correct decision from Manchester United's board room?

Chris Smalling just turned 29 which means he should be in his prime. However, he's constantly been a weak link in the back line and has failed to be the senior figure someone 9 years at the club should be. He's a decent performer in the Premier League but when faced with world-class opposition he stumbles and falters.

As a result Manchester United have been forced to spend heavy sums of cash on further under-performers Eric Baily and Victor Lindelof. Last season saw even Marcos Rojo and Daily Blind above Chris Smalling in the pecking order.

It's a strange decision for Manchester United to extend his contract, seeing he has not featured for the England National Squad and seemed surplus to requirments just over two months ago. His best years are behind him, Manchster United would be better off promoting a hungry player from their youth academy or purchasing a valuable solid centerback this January.