Chris Smalling's experience at Roma could help convince Jadon Sancho to move to the Italian club.
Sancho has not played for United in a month, having been embroiled in a public fall-out with manager Erik ten Hag.
The United boss claimed the 23-year-old had not been part of the squad that lost 3-1 to Arsenal due to his performances in training, a statement which Sancho vehemently refuted.
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The England international took to social media to deny Ten Hag’s claim he had not trained to a sufficient standard, adding he felt he had been “scapegoated” at Old Trafford.
In turn, Sancho has been training away from the first-team squad with it having been widely reported that the player can only return to the first-team fold by apologising to Ten Hag.
Since then, Sancho has been linked with clubs in the Saudi Pro League and a return to Borussia Dortmund, while a move to Jose Mourinho’s Roma was touted on Monday.
According to Il Romanista, Mourinho wants to sign Sancho “at all costs”, with the Serie A club “monitoring” the attacker’s situation at Old Trafford.
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Of course, should Sancho look at Smalling’s time in the Italian capital, he may be convinced of the merits of moving from United to Roma.
The centre-back has reignited his career under Mourinho, having endured a difficult end to his spell at Old Trafford.
Indeed, upon extending his contract at the club, Smalling said: “Choosing to remain at Roma was an easy decision to make.
“I'm playing the best football of my career here and my family and I have felt so welcome in this wonderful city from day one. What's more, this club is clearly taking great strides forward in all areas.
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“I want to thank our fans too: the unconditional support they have shown me helped make the decision even easier.”
Sancho may look to the 33-year-old should he choose to chart his United escape route.
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Topics: Football, Manchester United, Jadon Sancho, AS Roma, Chris Smalling, Transfers