Man Utd Star Hoping To Make Injury Return Against Arsenal

Manchester United entertain old foes Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon and Louis van Gaal could be handed a major injury boost with Chris Smalling hoping to be fit for the game.

Smalling missed United’s 5-1 win over Midtjylland in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday night after suffering an injury while colliding with an advertising hoarding during their FA Cup win at Shrewsbury Town last Monday night.

It was just the second match the defender has missed so far this season and Smalling has now told ManUtd.com that he hopes to be passed fit to face the Gunners so he can continue his consistent run in the first team.

Speaking to the clubs website, when asked about his impressive appearance record this season, Smalling said:

“Touch wood, that carries on, I was disappointed to miss the other night, but I’m hoping to be okay to play this game [against Arsenal].”

“I’ve not really done anything differently to the other lads but, probably from about halfway through last season, I got on a good run in the team and I’ve just tried to carry that on from there. Long may it continue.”

Smalling has become a vital part of van Gaal’s starting eleven over the past 12 months so it would be a major boost if he was passed fit to face the Gunners tomorrow afternoon.

With Phil Jones still on the sidelines, Michael Carrick was forced to play alongside Daley Blind at the back on Thursday so van Gaal will be desperate to get Smalling back in contention.

As we reported earlier, David De Gea is expected to return from a minor knee injury on Sunday but Anthony Martial remains a doubt with a hamstring problem that forced him out of the Midtjylland game last time out.