Chris Smalling Arrives in Rome,Set to Join Roma on Loan

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has arrived in Rome ahead of completing a loan move to AS Roma, and posed with his new club's scarf in the Italian capital.

Smalling - who has won 31 caps for England - has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the summer signing of Harry Maguire, and has been allowed to leave the Red Devils on a temporary deal by boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The former Fulham defender has played 323 games for United since signing in 2010, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League in 2017.

But he'll now spend the current season in Rome, where his new club will play in the Europa League this season.

Speaking at his press conference prior to facing Southampton on Saturday, Solskjaer spoke of how a move was best for Smalling's career.

“It just came up in the last couple of days and it’s just an opportunity for Chris," he said .

“We sat down and discussed it and at the moment we have six centre-backs and I couldn’t promise Chris regular football.

“He’s on the plane over now and he will enjoy the experience over there.

“Not many English players have the chance to play in Italy and I’m sure he will come back stronger and better for it.”

Smalling's arrival in Serie A continues the drain from Old Trafford to Italy this summer, with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez both joining Inter Milan and Matteo Darmian also likely to head to the country of his birth.

“Alexis needed to go,” said Solskjaer. “He’s been here for 18 months and it’s not really worked out for him.

“For him to restart and get himself playing regularly and scoring goals, that will only benefit everyone in the end.”