Smalling completes loan move to Roma

As we reported earlier today, the centre-back flew out to the Italian capital this morning to undertake a medical and finalise the contractual details.
 
Speaking to MUTV before his pre-match press conference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained the reasons behind the temporary transfer.

“At the moment we've got six centre-backs,” said the manager.

“This is just something that popped up towards the end [of the European transfer window] in the last couple of days.

“Chris fancied the chance to go over there; it's a new experience, new adventure. 

“He'll come back better for it because it's a big club, it's a good league. There aren't too many English players who have been playing in Italy so I think he'll enjoy it.”

The confirmation of Chris's move means he's the third senior United player to go out on loan for 2019/20, following Alexis Sanchez's switch to Inter Milan and Joel Pereira's journey to Scottish club Hearts.

Alexis will link up with Romelu Lukaku, who joined Inter in a permanent transfer earlier this month, and the pair could face Smalling in early December when Roma visit San Siro in a key Serie A clash. The return match is scheduled for late April 2020, five games from the end of the Italian league season.

Smalling made 34 appearances for the Reds in all competitions last term, scoring one goal – the strike that proved to be the winner at Vicarage Road when Watford were beaten 2-1.

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