Smalling: Let's End On A High

Stand-in captain Chris Smalling insists that while Manchester United have little to play for on Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal will expect his team to finish the Barclays Premier League season strongly against Hull City.

The Reds have secured Champions League football for next season and are all but guaranteed to finish fourth in the table, unless Arsenal lose at home to West Brom and United overturn a goal difference deficit of seven.

Smalling, who was named skipper last weekend against the Gunners, told MUTV: "We don’t have a great deal to play for but, as the manager has said, we always play for that pride.

"We’ll be going out there to make sure we finish the season on a high, and for all those travelling fans who come, we will give them something to sing about."

Victory for van Gaal’s side would condemn the Tigers, who are currently managed by United legend Steve Bruce, to relegation. But Smalling insists there will be no sentiment on Sunday.

"I see it as any other game and I think he will, too", said Smalling. "Obviously he’d hope that United do him a favour, but I don’t think that will be the case when we step onto that pitch.

"Hull obviously have to win the game and that will make for an entertaining match, where they won’t be able to defend like a lot of teams do – they’ll have to come out at us.

"I think that will make it a much more open game and a more enjoyable one for us."