Chris Smalling needed police escort to catch Man United flight after struggling to provide urine sample

Britain Soccer Football - Manchester United Training - Manchester United Training Ground - 14/9/16 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Chris Smalling during training Action Images via Reuters / Ed Sykes Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Chris Smalling needed a police escort to catch Manchester United's flight back from Rotterdam - after struggling to provide a urine sample for drug testers.

Smalling, who played in United's 1-0 defeat to Feyenoord, took so long to provide a sample he was in danger of missing the flight back to Manchester with the rest of the squad.

The defender was whisked to Rotterdam airport in a car which was accompanied by a police escort, ensuring Smalling made the flight, which had to keep its strict 11pm time slot.

Jose Mourinho and his players landed back in Manchester late on Thursday night and will train tomorrow before travelling down to Watford ahead of their midday kick-off on Sunday.

United's loss in the Netherlands was their second on the bounce after they succumbed to defeat in the Manchester derby last Saturday.

Red Devils boss Mourinho admitted his players are currently lacking confidence - despite starting the season with four consecutive wins across the Community Shield and Premier League.

"When you lose matches, there are no miracles in terms of the players' soul,” said Mourinho.

“You win matches, people are happy and full of confidence. You lose matches and people are sad and feel it.

“Obviously, when you lose matches, the mood is not the same, that's normal."