Manchester United confirm Chris Smalling has joined Roma

Manchester United have confirmed that Chris Smalling has joined Roma on loan for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign.

The centre-back was linked with a move to Everton in the latter stages of the English transfer window but ultimately remained at Old Trafford.

Smalling has now left the Red Devils ahead of the European transfer deadline on September 2, though, having completed a move to Roma for the rest of the season.

"Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has completed a loan move to AS Roma for the remainder of the 2019/20 season," read a statement on the English club's official website.

"As we reported earlier today, the centre-back flew out to the Italian capital this morning to undertake a medical and finalise the contractual details."

Smalling made 34 appearances for United during the 2018-19 campaign, while he has turned out on 323 occasions for the club since a 2010 move from Fulham.

The 29-year-old has not made a matchday squad this season, though, and head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer conceded on Friday that he could not offer the defender regular football.

Axel Tuanzebe has thus far been preferred to Phil Jones as the back-up to Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, who have started the 2019-20 campaign as the first-choice centre-back pairing.