Van Gaal blasts ‘stupid’ red card

LOUIS van Gaal branded one of his players “stupid” for the second successive week as Manchester United lost their fourth city derby in a row.

It was Chris Smalling’s turn to feel the wrath of his manager, a week after Van Gaal hit out at Robin van Persie.

Smalling received two yellow cards in eight first–half minutes as United fell to a 1–0 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad stadium.

Referee Michael Oliver showed Smalling a yellow card for a cynical block on Joe Hart as he attempted to kick the ball down field from his hands. The England defender slid in on James Milner soon after, leaving Oliver no option but to issue a second yellow.

“In a derby you have to be careful – the second yellow card is a stupid yellow card,” said Van Gaal, who had warned his players before the game they must keep their emotions under control. “As a player you have to control your aggression.”

Smalling impressed on his return from injury against Chelsea last week and he was playing relatively well before his two moments of madness.