Manchester United defender Chris Smalling: 'I'll improve during Roma stint'

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has suggested that he has no regrets over taking on a loan spell at Roma.

The arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester City effectively pushed Smalling down the pecking order at Old Trafford, leaving United happy to allow the centre-back to link up with Roma on a temporary basis.

While the transfer represents a change in lifestyle for Smalling, the Englishman hints that he is happy to have taken on the challenge of playing football in a different country.

The 29-year-old told The Telegraph: "If I had stayed I would have taken on that challenge and I would have been very confident that I would have played the number of games that I was worthy of.

"Equally I have a challenge here at Roma. Going back, I will have an added element that some of the centre-backs won't have.

"The easy decision was to stay. This is the perfect opportunity to try and live in a different culture. In that respect it is like a total change, although football is still the same football."

Smalling is yet to make his debut for the Serie A outfit.