Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Chris Smalling says he 'owed' United a goal after error for City's opener in Manchester derby as defender reveals Jose Mourinho urged his players not to be clowns during half-time team-talk

Chris Smalling made up for his first-half clanger by scoring a dramatic winner after Jose Mourinho had urged his players at half-time not to become the Etihad clowns.

Smalling knew he had messed up when allowing Vincent Kompany to outmuscle him for the City opener and the runaway Premier League led 2-0 at half-time.

But the England defender, who made amends with a brilliant strike after Paul Pogba's quickfire double, said: 'I owed them that.

Defender Chris Smalling scored the winner as Manchester United beat City 3-2 on Saturday
Defender Chris Smalling scored the winner as Manchester United beat City 3-2 on Saturday
Smalling said that he 'owed' United a goal after making an error for Vincent Kompany's opener
Smalling said that he 'owed' United a goal after making an error for Vincent Kompany's opener

'When you make a mistake you want an opportunity to make amends.