Manchester United FC had loaned out Sanchez to Inter Milan and Smalling to AS Roma at the start of the season. Solskjaer decided that Sanchez and Smalling were surplus to his needs at United and thus sent them on-loan to Italy. Their loans reportedly ended on 30th June, but with the pandemic situation, United extended their loans till the end of the season.
Chris Smalling is the former captain of the Red Devils, but the defender faced Solskjaer’s axe in the summer. He was loaned out to AS Roma who were in the lookout of a central defender after Manolas’s departure. Smalling has done very well in Italy and has turned out to become one of the best defenders in Serie-A.
The 30-year old Englishman has been a loyal servant of Manchester United since he joined the club in 2010. This season, Smalling has played 30 games for the Roman side scoring twice as well. Smalling has been a rock at Roma and wasn’t dribbled past in the Italian league for the first five months.
Smalling wants to stay put at Roma and his contract negotiations have even begun. United value him at about £20m, but the Romans aren’t willing to give any more than £15m. His current deal expired on 30th June, but United have extended his stay at Roma till 3rd August, at least.
The story of Alexis Sanchez is somewhat different, as the Chilean has failed to impress at Inter Milan. Sanchez’s stay at Inter Milan has also been plagued with injury, as was his career at Manchester United. In 20 appearances for the Milan side, Sanchez has only scored twice and set up five more.
Out of the seven-goal contributions, three came yesterday as Sanchez scored one and assisted two more against Brescia. Inter thrashed six goals against Brescia where former United captain Ashley Young also scored. Young’s goal was set up by none other than Sanchez.
Inter Milan wants to keep hold of the player for the Europa League as well, but United don’t want to strengthen a direct rival. Both Smalling and Sanchez will return to Manchester after the end of the Serie-A season.
