Manchester United defender joins Roma

 

Roma have confirmed they have signed Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a season-long loan deal without an option to buy.

 

Smalling, who only signed a new United contract in December, has dropped out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since Harry Maguire’s arrival over the summer.

 

Roma have been on the market for a new centre-back since selling Kostas Manolas to rivals Napoli at the start of the summer.

 

The Serie A outfit were previously linked with Premier League duo Dejan Lovren and Toby Alderweireld but have instead prised Smalling away from Old Trafford for a €3m loan fee.

 

Smalling is the third United player to secure a move to Serie A this summer after both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez joined Inter.

 

Manchester United defender joins Roma

 

The 29-year-old has been a regular for United in recent seasons but failed to make a single matchday squad this season prior to joining Roma.

 

Solskjaer has instead placed his faith in 21-year-old Axel Tuanzebe as back-up to first choice pairing Victor Lindelof and Maguire.

 

Since August 2014, Smalling has won at least 112 more aerial duels than any other United player in the Premier League (452).