Chris Smalling has signed a three-year contract extension at Manchester United worth in the region of £80,000-a-week after turning his career around at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old England centre-back had been linked with a move to Arsenal after struggling to hold down a first-team place at United and being branded ‘stupid’ by manager Louis van Gaal for his sending-off in the Manchester derby at the Etihad earlier this season.
Smalling was also guilty of several off-the-field indiscretions, including being pictured going to a fancy-dress party as a suicide bomber last year.


But the defender has matured under Van Gaal and become a regular starter in the Dutchman’s team this season. He was due to be out of contract next summer but has now committed himself to United until 2019.
Van Gaal said: ‘I am delighted he has signed a new contract. Chris has improved and developed immensely during the short time that I have been at the club and has become an integral part of the first-team squad.

‘He always conducts himself in a very professional manner and it is also pleasing that he has scored some important goals this season too.’
Smalling, who cost United £10million from Fulham in 2010, has made 147 appearances and won two Premier League titles.
Four of his nine goals for the club have come this season, including one in the Old Trafford derby earlier this month.


He said: ‘I am so proud to play for such a great club. We have developed as a team over the course of the season under Louis van Gaal and we are now playing as a complete unit.
‘This is a very exciting time to be at Manchester United. We are all determined to get back to where we belong and competing at the highest level.’
Smalling has established himself as a permanent member of England's squad during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and that boils down to his vast improvement under Van Gaal.


With a top four finish and Champions League qualification close to being secured, the 25-year-old can look forward to more European adventures as his development continues.
After the disappointment of last season, Van Gaal has instilled a level of confidence into his players and Smalling has thrived under his tenure since the turn of the year.
The former Fulham man is keeping big summer signing Marcos Rojo out of the side at and that's testament to his improvements after a difficult start to the season.
Smalling is expected to keep his place in United's starting eleven for the visit to Everton, as the Red Devils look to get back to winning ways after defeat at Chelsea.


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