Smalling sorry after attending fancy-dress party in 'suicide bomber' outfit... and here's the picture that caused the storm

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling apologised for an 'insensitive decision' to appear as a suicide bomber at a fancy dress party.

A photograph of Smalling in his costume, which his management company said was taken at a private party in his home, was on the front page of Thursday's Sun.

It shows the England defender with items looking like a mock circuit board and mobile phone around his chest, and cables leading up his body. Also on his body are bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull, while he is also wearing an Arab kaffiyeh head dress.

Insensitive: This is the fancy-dress picture that landed United star Chris Smalling in hot water

Apology: Chris Smalling was sorry after being pictured at a party seemingly dressed like a suicide bomber

IN TROUBLE ON THE PITCH, TOO

Chris Smalling has had a difficult season on the field for Manchester United as David Moyes's men have endured a disastrous recent run. Smalling has featured in those matches and on Wednesday he was given 3/10 by Sportsmail for his contribution so far this campaign.

Smalling's management group said the outfit was an elaborate pun on the popular 'Jagerbomb', which is a blend of those two drinks.

'Chris and his girlfriend hosted a fancy dress party to celebrate Christmas and their belated birthdays with close friends in the assumed privacy of his own home,' Wasserman Media Group said in a statement. 

'He dressed in a costume consisting of empty bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull strapped to his chest in an attempted comedy play on the popular "Jagerbomb drink".

'Although he fully accepts in hindsight it was an ill-thought out and insensitive decision, absolutely no harm was intended whatsoever and he apologises for any offence caused.'

Meanwhile Jacqui Putnam, who survived the July 7 London bombing at Edgware Road in 2005, said people should 'think twice' before making light of terrorism.

Ms Putnam said that even after eight years, people affected are still coming to terms with the terror attack.

'It does not make it any easier when you see people who make light of it,' she said.

'It is silliness really. I do not think people who do these things mean any harm but unfortunately the effect it has on people like me and people who are in a worse position - those who lost loved ones - is hurtful.

Tricky season: Smalling and United have struggled to find form recently, losing to Swansea and Sunderland

On the slide: Smalling (right), in action against Norwich, has been in poor form on United's bad run

'I am sure that he did not mean to offend anyone but I wish people would think twice.

'If people could only think twice about the pain this could cause to people who have lost loved ones in these circumstances it would be appreciated by survivors and the bereaved alike.'

Graham Foulkes, 61, from Oldham, whose son David died in the London 7/7 suicide bombings told The Sun the ‘jagerbomber’ costume was 'one of the most offensive things I have seen'.