Chris Smalling has put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal with Manchester United, keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2019.
The 25-year-old central defender has impressed in his first five years with the Red Devils, making 147 appearances. First featuring against Chelsea in the 2010 Community Shield, the England international has gone on to win two Premier League medals, while also scoring nine goals.
Smalling has been an ever-present figure in the United set-up season, making 24 appearances in total this season. With four goals to his name this season, he proudly sits sixth the goal scoring charts for the club during 2014/15 – level with Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.
Louis van Gaal commented on the new deal, saying: “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. I am delighted he has signed a new contract.”
The powerful defender recently netted in an impressive 4-2 victory over Manchester City in the local derby, following his brace in a 3-1 win against Burnley back in February. Smalling also scored in a 3-0 success over Hull City, just two games after collecting a red card in an earlier clash with Manuel Pellegrini’s Citizens.
Chris Smalling added: “I’m delighted to sign my new contract. 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 been named Man of the Match twice this season, against Arsenal and Burnley.
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