Everton’s Stunning Move For Chris Smalling Rejected By Manchester United

Manchester United have rejected a shock bid from Everton for Chris Smalling.

According to Sky Sports, the Toffees wanted to take the United centre-back, 29, out on a season-long loan.

But the Red Devils have swiftly turned down the move for Smalling, whose contract with the club expires in 2022.

The English defender's future at Old Trafford was in doubt after United's stunning capture of Harry Maguire.

However, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 46, sees the England international as an 'integral part of his defence' alongside Victor Lindelof and Maguire next season.

United's acquisition of Maguire has left Solskjaer with seven centre-backs to choose from in the upcoming Premier League season.

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Along with Smalling, Lindelof and Maguire, the United boss will be able to call upon the services of Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe.

Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson brought Smalling to Old Trafford in 2010 and he has made over 300 appearances for the Red Devils.

While Solskjaer has named Ashley Young as the club's captain for next season, United legend Bryan Robson believes that Smalling or Nemanja Matic should have been named skipper.

"It's getting on that pitch and demanding from your teammates and then trying to lead by example as well," he told Sky Sports.

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"That is what some of our lads have got to step up to the mantle and prove that.

"When I look at the United squad and watch training, Chris Smalling and Nemanja Matic have got it in them.

"During my playing time, we had loads of captains on the pitch. People like [Peter] Schmeichel, Brucey [Steve Bruce], Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Mark Hughes."

Everton have been busy in the transfer window and recently had a £70m plus James McCarthy and Cenk Tosun bid rejected for Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha.

Which two players should be United's first-choice centre-back pairing next season?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Toffees, Chris Smalling, red devils, Premier League, Everton, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Old Trafford

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

@AdnanRiaz9