Man Utd’s Chris Smalling to return to Roma "in the next few days”.

Man Utd ace Chris Smalling impressed at Roma last term. [Getty]

Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is keen to return to Roma, according to the club's coach Paulo Fonseca.

Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca says Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling wants to continue plying his trade in Italy.

Smalling impressed during his loan spell with Roma last season, playing 37 times for the Serie A club Roma who finished fifth in the Italian top flight.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently said Smalling could return to the Red Devils fold, but it's clear the England international is keen for regular first-team football.

Speaking ahead of Roma's first game of the 2020-21 campaign, Fonseca admitted that he is hoping Roma and the Premier League giants agree a deal for the 30-year-old.

"I'm in contact to get Smalling. He wants to come back to Rome and we want him," Fonseca told reporters at a news conference previewing Saturday's clash with Hellas Verona.

"In the next few days I think he'll be here with us."

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