MIKE DROP

Smalling’s moved from LVG gaffe

- DAVID McDONNELL

CHRIS SMALLING unwittingly became a figure of fun towards the end of his time at Manchester United.

Former United boss Louis van Gaal famously referred to him as ‘Mike Smalling’, a slip of the tongue which led to an unwanted nickname the defender was unable to shake off.

Fast forward seven years since the Dutchman’s gaffe and it is Smalling, now excelling in Italy with Serie A side Roma, who has had the last laugh.

While United’s trophy drought stretched to five years on the back of their worst-ever Premier League campaign, Smalling is a European champion with Roma.

The 32-year-old was voted man of the match in their 1-0 Europa Conference League final win over Feyenoord in Albania on Wednesday, which secured entry to next season’s Europa League for Jose Mourinho’s side.