“Michael, coo-ee! Over here!”
You could forgive Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling for developing something of an inferiority complex this season after coming to the jarring realisation that his manager still doesn’t appear to know his actual name.
For the second time in just a few short months, Louis van Gaal gave Smalling’s self-esteem another rodgering in the aftermath of last night’s scant 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford by commending the defender for his heroic defending before swiftly accrediting the goal-line clearance in question to “Michael Smalling”.
Mike #Smalling is back 👍🏻☺️🙄 #mufc #manutd #LVG #ChampionsLeague #MUFCvCSKA @Pa_Ward1 @TotallyMUFC @ChrisSmalling pic.twitter.com/ca4jZeb3p5
— Tim McCarthy (@timjmccarthy) November 3, 2015
“David De Gea has saved us, then after that, Michael Smalling has saved us,” Van Gaal wibbled.
The United boss made the exact same gaffe back in July while proudly naming Mike Smalling as his new vice-captain as Chris Smalling sat right beside him…
Poor lamb.