How Chris Smalling has turned his Manchester United exit into a big success

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Chris Smalling has signed a new contract with Roma, this past week penning an extension to 2025.

They used to say ‘the only way after leaving Manchester United is down’. While Chris Smalling has not totally proved this wrong since his departure – he certainly seems happier with his new life at Roma.

Manchester United sanctioned Chris Smalling’s exit in 2020, netting a fee totalling £18 million, Sky Sports reported.

This came after an successful loan at Roma a year earlier, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer making clear that Smalling was not part of his plans after Harry Maguire was signed.

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Chris Smalling success at Roma

It can be debated whether Maguire was worth spending £80 million on, and if United should have simply kept Smalling around instead.

But that was the decision Solskjaer made, and the prospect of staying as a back-up was not a tempting one for Smalling, a former Manchester United title winner.

He needed a new challenge, and he seized his new opportunity at Roma. He won the Europa Conference League in 2022, and was a runner-up in the Europa League final this past season.

Smalling played 47 games this past season for Roma, and has 143 appearances in total for the club.

He has now been rewarded with a contract extension which runs until 2025.

“The journey continues!”, Smalling wrote on Instagram after putting pen to paper on his new deal.

He told the club website that he believes he has taken his game to a new level: “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.”

Smalling has been helped by the appointment of his former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who believes in him and trusts him as a regular starter.

At 33, it seems Smalling probably won’t get the chance to add to his 31 England caps. He has been overlooked by Gareth Southgate ever since he switched to Serie A.

But it’s clear Smalling is happy with his move, having experienced the ups and downs at Manchester United with 323 games played in total.

While Phil Jones stayed and saw out his contract, Smalling has reaped the rewards of pushing for a move where he could play, and it doesn’t seem like he has ever looked back.