Man Utd: Louis van Gaal angry at ‘stupid’ Chris Smalling

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Chris Smalling’s sending-off in the Manchester derby was “stupid”.

Smalling was dismissed before half-time for two bookable offences – the first for charging down Manchester City keeper Joe Hart’s drop kick, the second for a wild challenge on James Milner.

City won 1-0 with a 63rd-minute goal from Sergio Aguero.

“In a derby you have to be careful – the second yellow card is a stupid yellow card,” Van Gaal told BBC Sport.

“The sending-off is not one of those things. As a player you have to control your aggression.

“I didn’t see the first yellow but with the second, you know you already have a yellow, so have to handle it differently. I said that to the players.”

Despite Smalling’s dismissal, United improved after Aguero’s goal, with Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria both drawing good saves out of City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

BBC sport