Van Gaal: Smalling’s second yellow ‘stupid’

Louis van Gaal spent Friday warning his players to retain their composure and avoid a sending off in the Manchester derby.

Forty-eight hours later, Chris Smalling’s disregard for the United manager’s instructions proved costly as van Gaal saw his side beaten 1-0 by Manuel Pellegrini’s City at the Etihad Stadium.

Smalling was sent off for two bookable offences — charging at goalkeeper Joe Hart and bringing down James Milner — and there was little understanding from van Gaal, especially with the two incidents coming seven minutes apart.