Rivals want Mour defenders

JOSE MOURINHO’S spat with Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw has alerted rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Manchester United boss publicly called out the duo for failing to play through the pain barrier in the 3-1 win at Swansea last Sunday.

However, it has now emerged that Smalling has been suffering from a toe injury, but the England star – and Shaw’s camp – have been less than impressed by Mourinho’s aggressive tactic in identifying them in the media.

They were backed by PFA chief Gordon Taylor, and both players believe Mourinho should have challenged them privately if he had a problem with the duo.

The row has rekindled Arsenal’s long-standing interest in Smalling, 26, who has been admired by boss Arsene Wenger ever since United pipped the Gunners to his £10million signing in January 2010.

Despite signing Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia in the summer, Wenger would be a bidder if Smalling came on the market.

Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp, who is searching for a left-back, would also be interested in Shaw if United decided to sell the £29m youngster.

Transfer deals between the club’s have been non-existent, however, and even if Liverpool did push the boat out to offer United their asking price there is little chance of them selling to their Anfield rivals.

Tottenham also like Shaw, 21, but with Danny Rose and Ben Davies on their books Mauricio Pochettino has other priorities.