Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms exit of Manchester United defender

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Chris Smalling will be heading for a fresh challenge with AS Roma before the European transfer deadline.

The England international has been out of contention for a central defensive role since the start of the season with Solskjaer preferring Victor Lindelof and summer signing Harry Maguire.

As such, there had been the speculation that Smalling may head through the exit door and Solskjaer has now acknowledged that the centre-back will make the move to Roma on a temporary deal.

"It’s just come up the last couple of days, this opportunity [Roma] for Chris. At the moment we’ve got six fit centre-backs. I couldn’t promise Chris regular football. I think he’ll enjoy the experience over there," he told MUTV.

Aside from Smalling, Alexis Sanchez has also made the loan departure to Inter Milan in the past 24 hours but both players are expected to return to Old Trafford next summer with no buy option included.