Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are weighing up whether they would keep or ditch the defensive pairing of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Everybody has an opinion on this in the bar today and after recent displays, though the majority would vote to ditch Smalling and keep Jones. United have struggled to maintain a defensive two since the days of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidi and how missed it has been at the Theatre of Dreams.

When they both came to the club, much was made of their potential with some even reckoning that Jones would be a future England captain. Oh, how silly we all were.

This was a big call, though at some points, you can see the talent. Meanwhile, with Smalling, he’s a useful squad player but that’s kind of it for him. When he’s on the pitch he creates a nervousness through the team and our local red fans in the pub instantly. With all this in his mind, our landlord takes a look at why United should look to get rid of Smalling and keep Jones…

SELL: Chris Smalling

Since his move from Fulham back in 2010, Smalling has never really held down a regular first-team spot. Hitting the prime of his football career now, and he still seems as new to Old Trafford as he did eight years ago sometimes, and is still majorly prone to making game-changing mistakes.

United could make a little profit from the England man while he’s got a few years left him in. Indeed, many in the bar feel that he’s much more suited to a mid-table Premier League club.

KEEP: Phil Jones

The £16.2m rated defender has enjoyed an up and down career at United since his move from Blackburn Rovers in 2011. He has shown glimpses of what he could be, and he really does put everything in the way to protect the goal.

Still, at the age of 25, Jones has many years left to give and learn as he enters the prime footballing window by the time his contract runs out in mid-2019. If Jones could get a regular starting spot and avoid injuries, he could be creating a partnership with Bailly at the back for many years to come.