Smalling: The future is red

Chris Smalling wants to stay at Manchester United for the rest of his career.

Smalling enjoyed a stellar first season at Old Trafford following his arrival from Fulham, playing a significant role in the Red Devils' record 19th Premier League title triumph and their run to the Champions League final.

This season is shaping up to be even better.

Smalling started all three league games at right–back as United made a 100-per-cent opening to the defence of their crown.

So well has the 21–year–old performed he was called into Fabio Capello's squad for the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers, and then got catapulted into the England starting line–up ahead of Phil Jagielka.

And the good news for United is that Smalling intends hanging around for a long time.

"I don't look too far ahead but I hope I can really get an established career and stay here for the rest of my life," he said.

"I want to get more and more games as my time goes on because I really feel part of this club.

"I'm really enjoying my football at the minute. The manager has full faith in me and I want to repay that in the years to come."

Smalling's additional height at full–back should come in handy tomorrow when United head to Bolton



Manchester City are optimistic Samir Nasri's broken finger will not prevent the midfielder making his Etihad Stadium bow when the Blues host Wigan in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.
The player said on Twitter last night: "Thank you for your messages. I broke my finger during the last international game, I will let you if I will be able to play Saturday."

The club are yet to confirm the nature of the injury but are not thought to be overly concerned about the problem.

Nasri came on as a 75th–minute substitute in France's goalless Euro 2012 qualifier in Romania on Tuesday.

However, the £24million signing from Arsenal last month remains in contention for the Latics clash, which will be his home debut for City should he feature.

The playmaker has already excited Blues fans with an impressive first run–out for his new club, setting up two goals for Edin Dzeko in a storming 5–1 victory at Tottenham just under two weeks ago.