Open letter to Chris Smalling from a Manchester United fan

Chris Smalling is sent off after getting a second yellow card in the Manchester Derby

Dear Chris,

I just want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your game changing performance in the Manchester Derby yesterday. If Louis van Gaal had a plan – and I am willing to bet my left leg that he did – you promptly took it, spat on it, and threw it out the window. You left our back line looking like an apple tree in spring, ready to be picked apart.

After probably the stupidest way to get a yellow card ever witnessed on a football pitch, making a rash challenge is probably not the best idea. Especially if you are up against one of the best attacking sides in the Premier League.

Your challenge was reminiscent of a Sunday league challenge, the only difference being that on a Sunday league game you can get away with kicking someone in the face. Unfortunately, this is the EPL.

As we know, your ball skills are not your greatest strength, so logically you should compensate that in other areas? Well, evidently not.

After watching you for the last four years I have tried to convince myself that somehow Sir Alex hadn’t had a drink or two when he scouted you. A few decent displays here and there did nothing in your favor to change my opinion. In most games, you are clumsy, error prone, and not strong enough in the challenge.

You’re something similar to Bambi on stilts.

Chris Smalling got his first booking for blocking Joe Hart’s kick

Granted, you have been pushed out to right back at times and that isn’t your natural position. But you have done nothing to warrant your starting berth at the centre of defence. The position you have found yourself in right now is because of our current and long injury list.

At the age of 24, you should really be showing signs of promise, if you haven’t already. No longer can you be regarded as a “bright prospect”. No longer can you commit the schoolboy errors that you seem to love. With yesterday’s showing of immaturity, you have unfortunately taken a few steps back in your career.

With Paddy McNair showing promise and putting in a better shift than you yesterday, I hope you realize that your position in the team is far from certain.

Please take some time off and reassess your current situation. You let your fans and the club down with yesterday’s shambolic outing.

The one positive that can be said is that things can’t get any worse. I hope you don’t try and prove me wrong, Chris.

Yours sincerely,A Red Devils fan.