Louis van Gaal is set to start Chris Smalling in the problem position of right centre-back in Manchester United’s season opener against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After United lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago in their final warm-up match, the manager flagged up the right side of central defence as an issue.
Phil Jones started against PSG, as he did in the previous tour game – a 3-1 victory over Barcelona in Santa Clara. Van Gaal had stated the XI who took to the field for those two outings would be the strongest available to him and that the team could be expected to play around an hour. While Jones did feature for 63 minutes against Barça and 65 minutes against PSG, Van Gaal was unhappy with the 23-year-old’s display.
Speaking of who he might select in defence for the midday game with Tottenham, Van Gaal said: “I think I shall play Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian, with Daley Blind on the left side of defence. The right central defensive position I have to consider.”
Van Gaal staged a private match between two sides comprised solely of United players earlier in the week. It is understood that Smalling featured in the team the manager is considering selecting against Spurs and that barring injury or a last minute change of mind he will play.
