Chris Smalling’s fitness is the subject of confusion after claims the defender has a broken toe that rules him out for at least a month were denied by Manchester United.
Smalling, along with Luke Shaw, made himself unavailable for last Sunday’s 3-1 victory at Swansea City, leading to José Mourinho criticising him. “Smalling doesn’t feel he can play 100% with his pain and Luke Shaw told me this morning he was not in the condition to play, so we had to build a defensive line,” the manager said. “In every sport – and I know because I have friends and they play at the highest level in other sports – how many times you play and you are not 100%. To compete you have to go to the limits. It’s a cultural thing for some and that’s not my culture.”
Claims have since emerged that Smalling has broken a toe in two places. However, when this was put to United a partial denial was given, leaving the precise situation regarding Smalling unclear. Eric Bailly, his regular central defensive partner, is recovering from a long-term knee injury so Phil Jones may be get the chance to re-establish himself.
The 24-year-old’s start at Swansea was his first appearance since 2 January, due to successive injuries.
