New Roma signing ready to turn his back on Manchester United

Chris Smalling is ready to turn his back on Manchester United for good following the completion of his move to Roma. 

The English centre-back secured a loan switch to the Serie A side earlier this week having fallen down the pecking order following the big money capture of Harry Maguire from Leicester. 

The 29-year-old is no longer part of Gareth Southgate’s England plans and is relishing a fresh start in Italy. 

And Smalling has hinted that, if his stint goes well in Rome, he is prepared to stay in Serie A beyond the culmination of his season-long loan. 

"To be able to have the chance at a big club, and then if it prolongs and the club is happy, then I can definitely see a longer term future in Italy,” Smalling is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. 

"I think this is an opportunity that came to me that I was very interested in and I'm very eager to come. 

"It happened very quickly and I think if I focus on the next game, getting up to speed with training, in terms of the manager's methods and then hopefully have a very good season, then see what happens.” 

Smalling made 24 league starts for United last season, but the Premier League side had a better win ratio without him (57.1%) than with him (45.8%).