Man Utd announce decision on short-term futures of loan duo

On-loan Manchester United pair Chris Smalling and Alexis Sanchez will see out the Serie A season in Italy, the club have announced.

United say that defender Smalling will stay with Roma,  and Sanchez with Inter Milan, until their campaigns finish.

Roma, in fifth, have 10 games to play, as do third-placed Inter.

The campaign is currently due to finish at the start of August, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, with all three teams involved in the Europa League, it remains unclear for which teams they will be eligible to figure in the European competition, which is slated to resume on August 10.

Smalling, who marks 10 years as a United player this summer, has played 30 times for Roma this term.

Reports claim he is pining for a long-term contract in Rome, amid uncertainty over his potential Old Trafford role.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s favoured centre-back partnership is Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. What’s more, Eric Bailly has recently returned to fitness.

Sanchez, meanwhile, has played 19 games for Inter, who also have former United stars Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young.

Injury earlier in the season halted Sanchez‘s progress, but he recently returned to full strength.

MAN UTD SNAG OVER ROJO FUTURE

While United have resolved Smalling and Sanchez’s short-term futures, the same cannot be said for Marcos Rojo.

The Argentine joined former club Estudiantes on loan in January, making only one appearance.

And, after the Argentina-based club refused to activate the purchase option in the loan, Rojo is likely to return to Old Trafford.

However, Estudiantes are reportedly keen to continue talking with United over a potential extension.

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