Manchester United's Smalling confirms Roma departure ahead of Europa League restart

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling said he was "gutted" that he would not be involved in the remainder of Roma's Europa League campaign.

The England centre-back has spent the season on loan with the Serie A club, with his deal recently extended to cover the final game of the domestic term last weekend.

However, the latest arrangement agreed between United and Roma did not cover the Europa League, a competition in which Smalling's parent club remain involved.

"I'm gutted that I can't finish what we started this season," Smalling wrote on Twitter alongside four pictures of him in a Roma shirt.

"To experience the love shown to me in such a short time was extra special and it will not be forgotten.

"I want to thank and wish all the players and staff the best of luck against Sevilla. DAJE ROMA!"

I’m gutted that I can’t finish what we started this season. To experience the love shown to me in such a short time was extra special and it will not be forgotten. I want to thank and wish all the players and staff the best of luck against Sevilla. DAJE ROMA! pic.twitter.com/9vHfpWUNsz
— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) August 4, 2020

Smalling, 30, played in 30 of Roma's Serie A matches as they finished fifth, while he also made five starts in the Europa League.

Though Smalling will now return to Old Trafford, he is ineligible for the remainder of United's Europa League campaign.

It may be a different story for Alexis Sanchez - another United loan export who has spent the 2019-20 season in Serie A.

Inter have included the Chilean forward in their squad for the latter stages of the Europa League ahead of their last-16 tie with Getafe this week.

For Sanchez to have any involvement beyond that, Inter and United would need to reach an agreement on a longer-term deal.