Man Utd News: Van Gaal's future vision, Arsenal boss on 'evil' challenge, Inter hijack bid

Louis van Gall says Chris Smalling (right) will one day be Manchester United's club captain

NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT brings you all the latest news from Old Trafford.

 

Chris Smalling will be promoted to captain at Manchester United once Wayne Rooney retires, insists Louis van Gaal.

Centre-back Smalling is a regular starter in the United XI, having previously been branded "stupid" by Van Gaal during a performance last season against Manchester City.

He signed a four-year contract in the summer, ensuring the ex-Fulham player is going nowhere soon.

And Van Gaal spoke up his defender's chances of one day commanding the Red Devils squad.

"Wayne Rooney is the captain and so you don't have to worry and then [vice-captain] Michael Carrick, but when they are gone, then Chris Smalling can do that, so I push him also in that situation," he said.

"He has done it by himself," he added. "There is a lot of advice. It is about how we defend as a team. He is a part of that and I wanted him to speak.

"He also has the talent to speak. That makes him easy to coach. Because of that, I made him a leader of the team."

 

Arsene Wenger says he would "cry" if the Premier League followed Van Gaal's call to scrap the festive schedule.

Van Gaal this week branded the fixture list, in which teams play four games usually within 10 days, "evil" in a direct challenge to schedulers.

But Wenger, who has managed Arsenal since 1996, says the Christmas fixtures should stay as they are.

 

Sofiane Feghouli is reportedly wanted by both Inter and Manchester United

Manchester United's supposed pursuit of Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli has stepped up a notch as the Metro claim a pre-contract agreement could be done in January.

Feghouli, 25, is reportedly wanted by both United and Italian giants Inter Milan.

His contract express next summer, meaning he could agree a free transfer to another club as early as New Year's Day.

And Metro say a Bosman offer is on the cards, contrary to reports in Milan that Inter have already sent scouts to Valencia to watch the ace in action.