Mourinho should give these 3 Man United players a chance against Reading

Chris Smalling

With Eric Bailly on African Cup of Nations duty over the coming weeks, Mourinho is slightly short in the centre-back department, and could ideally do with a fully fit Chris Smalling to give him another option.

Thus, the England defender should come back into the side against Reading.

Smalling had lost his place in the starting line-up after sustaining an injury in the defeat at Chelsea in October, and has since had to make-do with a spot on the bench after the good form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.

However, the 27-year-old was beginning to strike up a solid partnership with Bailly before both got injured, and you sense that, if fully fit, that would be the partnership Mourinho utilises.

Thus, a return to the starting eleven could be in the offing for Smalling tomorrow.