http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7007249.ece
January 29, 2010
Chris Smalling is ruled out of Fulham's clash with Manchester United
Oliver Kay Football Correspondent
Chris Smalling, the Fulham defender, will not be permitted to play against Manchester United after the Premier League's board ruled last night that doing so would put all parties in a difficult position before his £12 million summer move to Old Trafford.
Smalling completed the latest stage of his remarkable journey from non-League football yesterday by signing a four-year contract with United, but the deal does not come into effect until July. It is rare for a player to sign a pre-contract agreement to move between Premier League clubs and, with Fulham due to take on United at Old Trafford on March 10, there was speculation over whether Smalling would be able to take part.
There is no clause in the two clubs' agreement to prevent Smalling, 20, playing against United and, in accordance with the rules introduced by the Premier League in 2007 to create more transparency, there is no gentlemen's agreement either. However, the Premier League moved to prevent any suspicion over the deal.
What is certain is that it represents a remarkable coup for Fulham, who signed Smalling from Maidstone United for a nominal fee just 18 months ago, and for the player, who has started just two Premier League matches for Roy Hodgson's team. United raised their offer to £12 million, with most of that sum guaranteed, after learning of a bid from Arsenal.
With Nemanja Vidic expected to move to Spain in the summer, Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted at completing the deal. "Chris is an extremely talented young defender," Ferguson said.
• England will face Mexico at Wembley in their penultimate friendly before heading to the World Cup in South Africa.
Although the FA is yet to confirm the May 24 contest, Mexican officials have included it in a six-match tour, alongside matches against Holland and Italy, the world champions. Mexico were Fabio Capello's preferred opponents for a warm-up before England's opening group C game against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.
How VERY strange , how very odd the way this deal has been transacted
Wenger is insisting that he showed interest some time ago, and Arsenal would have been Smalling's destination of choice.
United are cash hungry
Why do a deal on a raw kid ??? and not take him now ???
United need someone now, so why spend money they do not have ??
why did they not agree to keep it quiet until the summer ????
would that not have been best for United, Fulham and to a greater extent Smalling
Must say, I am sorry we sold him, didn't like it when Saha was sent to Market
and this is not much better.
the way this deal has occured is very curious. does the big red nose not want him to warm the bench up north or does he feel mr hodgson will develop him more than he ever could
Incidentally, he is probably not allowed to play West Ham either due to the extra Sir Trevor Brooking rules
Good to see that Man U are scared enough of us to stop us using "a squad player" when we play them at there place-love it 8)
It strikes me as no coincidence that just last weekend Utd fans were demonstrating against the Glaziers and bemoaning the fact that their Club is in big debt with precious little money to use in the transfer market.
Someone 'up high' felt that it was important to show some intent. So they signed a young defender from Fulham who has played more games for the reserves than the first team. We want him for the rest of the season, but they're desperate to publicise the deal to appease the fans. Hence the present arrangement.
Rambling_Syd
It was not Manure that has stopped him playing it was the premier league, something to do with not giving rise to any suspicious dealings.
Scrumpy, that would explain a few things. The most curious thing being that the deal was done this January transfer window, but he won't play 'til summer. How often does that happen?
I wonder when we'll get the money, now or at the end of the season? ???
