Manchester United have opened talks over offering defender Chris Smalling a new contract at the club, as per reports.

Jose Mourinho has faced criticism in the past for not knowing what his best partnership at the heart of the team’s defence is, but he appears to rate some of his players in that position highly.

Smalling enjoyed arguably his best campaign in Louis van Gaal’s final season at the club and under Mourinho, the defender has not always been a regular name on the team sheet.

But reports are nonetheless suggesting that the club has opened talks with the 29-year-old over extending his contract – which is set to expire this summer – at Old Trafford.

In fact, Smalling’s potential new contract is claimed to be worth around $155,000-a-week (£120,000-a-week) in wages, a big increase on what he is earning at Old Trafford at the moment.

The defender was brought to the club by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2010 and he is now one of the longest-serving players in the United squad.

Derrick Adams 
Manchester United have opened talks over offering defender Chris Smalling a new contract at the club, as per reports. Jose Mourinho has faced criticism in the past for not knowing what his best partnership at the heart of the team's defence is, but he appears to rate some of his...