Manchester United have managed to beat rivals Arsenal to seal a summer deal for highly-rated Fulham central defender Chris Smalling. Smalling, who is an England U-21 international, will join the Premier League champions at the end of the season after finalising the deal this week. The move signals an astounding rise to fame for Smalling, who has made just nine first-team appearances for the Cottagers since signing from non-league Maidstone two years ago. Arsene Wenger had also shown an interest in the Greenwich-born 20-year-old, however Sir Alex Ferguson has won the battle to secure his signature. "It just looks like Manchester United offered more money than us," Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said. United are refusing to state how long Smalling, who will complete the remainder of the season at Fulham, has signed his contract for at Old Trafford.