Chris Smalling happy to stay at Manchester United but not in talks over new deal

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has confirmed that he would like to stay at Old Trafford but revealed that he is not aware of any negotiations regarding a new contract.

Smalling, 25, has made 18 Premier League appearances under Louis van Gaal so far this season including starts in each of the club's last five fixtures as they seek to secure qualification for the Champions League.

Although he has often struggled to achieve consistency during his five-year stint at Manchester United, the former Fulham centre-back is beginning to form a prosperous partnership with fellow England international Phil Jones and it stands to reason that he would like the opportunity to extend his stay with the 20-time top-flight champions.

"That's one I've not even really discussed with anyone. It's a case of the manager's showing his faith in me, I'm playing, I'm happy," Smalling responded when questioned over his contract situation as at a press conference held prior to England's trip to Italy as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

"I'm enjoying it, I've always enjoyed playing for United, especially at the minute. If I can contribute as we are now then I'm happy to stay for as long as they want me."

Smalling's current contract at Manchester United is due to expire in 2016 and although he is evidently content with life under Van Gaal, he is is unaware of any plans to tie him down to a long-term extension.

"Not that I'm aware of, I don't really take care of that."

Having been confined to the substitutes' bench for the entirety of England's comfortable Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Lithuania, Smalling is likely to feature on Tuesday (31 March) as Roy Hodgson plans to name an experimental side to face the Italians in Turin.

"We've got a tougher test ahead of us against Italy and we will be playing that game with players we wouldn't normally rely upon," Hodgson said.

"There are an awful lot of people in the squad I count on that we've lost, but what it means is for those who are still with us, many who are relatively untried, there will be a chance for them to show that my faith in selecting them for this squad was justified."

Gary Cahill and Jones were chosen as the defensive pairing for the clash at Wembley, so it is certainly possible that Smalling will be given the opportunity to start alongside Everton's Phil Jagielka at Juventus Stadium. Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling, Leighton Baines and James Milner will all miss the tie after returning to their respective clubs.

While England go into that friendly bristling with confidence after another straightforward victory, Italy will be eager to avoid further criticism after coming within a whisker of losing to Bulgaria in Sofia before debutant Eder spared Antonio Conte's blushes with a late equaliser.