Solskjaer has kind words for on-loan Smalling

The United defender has impressed throughout his loan spell at AS Roma and in the last week has had to deal with some very difficult media coverage in the Italian press.

Ole confirmed the club have been in touch with Chris following the horrendous headlines in Corriere dello Sport, also involving former Red Romelu Lukaku, and the United manager says he has been delighted to see Smalling performing so well on the field.

"First of all, when you see that paper and you say, "wow, really? Is that possible?" It's the worst front page I've ever seen. It has to be," Ole told reporters at his press conference.

"Of course we've been in touch with Chris, just so he knows that we'll back him and we support him and with Romelu as well. I don't work in your line of business, but wow, that's incredible. At least we don't see that here. We see loads of different things, but we don't see that. That needs to be stamped out.

"Chris has been fantastic," added the boss, who says he expects Smalling to return to United next season.

The 30-year-old has played nine Serie A games for the Italian club, scoring twice and helping the Giallorossi to fifth in the table.

"We know that sometimes if you change the environment it can go both ways," Ole added.

"Chris is the type to relish these challenges and he's cultured and he enjoys life there. It's a different life, it's a new experience for him. He's a boy who, he couldn't be here without being a regular and we decided on that and I'm so, so happy for him, because we can see the top player that he is."

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