PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester United's Smalling in Europa League black hole
Roma will resume their Europa League campaign against Sevilla on Thursday, but Chris Smalling will not feature due to his loan expiring.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling said he was "gutted" that he would not be involved in the remainder of Roma's Europa League campaign.
No small love for Roma as Chris returns to Old Trafford
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!"
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.
Sánchez can play in Europa League, for now
It may be a different story for Alexis Sánchez - 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 Sánchez to have any involvement beyond that, Inter and United would need to reach an agreement on a longer-term deal.