• Smalling had trial with Chelsea before joining Fulham
• Defender will move to Manchester United in summer

Chelsea passed up the chance to sign the Manchester United-bound defender Chris Smalling for free, according to the player’s former manager at Maidstone.

The 20-year-old completed his medical with the Old Trafford club on Thursday and will link up with United in July on a four-year contract from Fulham.

The deal completes a meteoric rise for the England Under-21 star, who only two years ago was playing non-league football with Maidstone. And it could have all been different for Smalling, with Chelsea passing up the opportunity to sign him.

The Maidstone manager, Alan Walker, told the Sunday People: “Chris was available on a free transfer because he was never under contract with us.

“A lot of clubs showed interest and Chelsea actually had him on trial and he played in a friendly match for them. But it was only Middlesbrough and Fulham who made offers to Chris and he chose Fulham.”

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