Manchester United defender Chris Smalling taken to hospital in Bali after suffering fall

Manchester United have moved quickly to allay fears regarding the condition of Chris Smalling after worrying pictures emerged on Monday (7 July) of the centre-back in hospital attached to a drip and sporting a neck brace and bandages to his head and left wrist.

Initial reports suggested that the player had been involved in an accident while taking surfing lessons during a summer holiday on the Indonesian island of Bali and may even have been stung by a jellyfish.

However, it has now emerged that Smalling, who started all four games for England at Euro 2016 as the Three Lions crashed out of the tournament in humiliating fashion with a shock last-16 defeat to Iceland in Nice, actually fainted as a result of food poisoning.

Looking to clear up the situation with a statement released via their official website, the Premier League giants said: "Manchester United can clarify Chris Smalling has had food poisoning during his holiday which resulted in him fainting on Sunday. The 26-year-old defender was taken to the hospital and is now feeling fine.

"Smalling is currently on vacation in Bali following his time with England at Euro 2016 before reporting back for pre-season training later this month. Chris would like to thank everyone for their well wishes."

Former Maidstone and Fulham defender Smalling was the one ever-present fixture in a frequently unsettled United backline last term, making 55 appearances across all competitions and winning the FA Cup during Louis van Gaal's second and final campaign at the helm.

Having played alongside the versatile Daley Blind for much of the year, he will have a new centre-back partner next season after new boss Jose Mourinho sanctioned a £30m ($39.8m) deal to buy Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly from Villarreal. United have also signed box-office striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and are expected to complete their move for Borussia Dortmund playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan imminently.

Mourinho, who was officially appointed as Van Gaal's successor in May, officially begins work at United's Aon training complex at Carrington today (4 July). He is due to hold his first press conference on Tuesday.