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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal calls Chris Smalling 'Mike' again

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Having mistakenly called Chris Smalling 'Mike' back in July, Louis van Gaal was again using the defender's new nickname to praise his performance

Louis van Gaal fluffed his lines again over defender Chris Smalling after Manchester United's win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Van Gaal made the mistake of calling the defender "Mike Smalling" while sat alongside him at a press conference in San Jose during United's pre-season tour in July.

And it seems the United manager is still to learn the centre-back's proper name. While referring to the England defender's superb last-ditch block to keep out Seydou Doumbia at Old Trafford, Van Gaal repeated his blunder, much to the watching media's amusement.

Despite his manager's confusion, Smalling has handled the subject with good grace.

Louis van Gaal celebrates victory victory over Wolfsburg with Chris Smalling
Image: Louis van Gaal forgot his defender's name once again

"The players don't call me Mike, but a lot of the fans do," Smalling said with a smile after United's 0-0 draw with Manchester City last month. "Even if you go to Russia or wherever, it's 'Mike! Mike! Mike!' It's going to stick with me forever, that one."

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Click on the video above to see the United manager's gaffe 

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