---
title: "Manchester United: Fans discuss Roma’s plans to lower United’s demands for Chris Smalling"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-fans-discuss-romas-plans-to-lower-uniteds-demands-for-chris-smalling/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Ward"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-06-26T17:30:02Z"
modified: "2020-06-26T17:30:02Z"
---

# Manchester United: Fans discuss Roma’s plans to lower United’s demands for Chris Smalling

**Chris Smalling will return to Manchester United when his loan at AS Roma ends next week.**

Roma are running out of time to convince the Red Devils to let him stay at the Stadio Olimpico. As it stands, Man United are still “asking for €25m” [according to Il Messaggero](https://www.ilmessaggero.it/sport/calcio/roma_diawara_mercato_smalling_vertonghen_mandragoira_cristante-5307333.html), as relayed by [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/club-want-play-cards-sign-man-united-player-manager-keeps-pushing-deal/), which is well outside the Italian’s budget.

Despite this, the Giallorossi have not given up hope of retaining Smalling on a permanent basis, or on loan with the option to buy.

The Italian outlet claims Roma are trying to lower United’s demands for the defender and “want to play all their cards,” via [@utdreport](https://twitter.com/utdreport/status/1276179342792458240).

[Reports](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-transfer-rumours/manchester-united-red-devils-set-to-agree-deal-with-roma-for-chris-smalling/) emerged earlier this week that the She-Wolf plan to sign the veteran on loan with the obligation to buy him at the end of the 2020/21 season, which would make the move permanent, but spreads the costs over two years.

[\[freshpress-poll id=”306555″\]](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/[freshpress-poll%20id=%22306555%22])

The 30-year-old has impressed [Paulo Foncesca](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8278533/Roma-boss-Paulo-Fonseca-wants-Man-United-loanee-Chris-Smalling-year.html) during his time in Italy, as he has made 2 interceptions per game, completed 4.5 clearances on average, scored 2 goals, and created 1 assist so far ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71345/Show/Chris-Smalling)).

Although [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/11697853/utd-smalling-roma-transfer-fonseca/) is a fan of the centre-back, the England international wants to play regularly in order to improve his chances of being named in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad, which is a promise the Norwegian will be unable to keep.

Solskjaer has predominantly used Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as his first-choice pairing and Eric Bailly will also be above him in the pecking order if he returns to Old Trafford.

Unsurprisingly, many United fans discussed the latest transfer update, with one supporter exclaiming Smalling is “better than Maguire,” whilst another suggested they claiming this was delusional. Meanwhile another added it would be a “good deal” if Roma could organise a swap for [Nicolo Zaniolo](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/332398/Show/Nicol%C3%B2-Zaniolo) in his place.

Scroll through some of the best reactions so far…

https://twitter.com/elm182/status/1276179827322740737?s=20

> Deluded. Imagine thinking smalling is better than maguire.
>
> — Magisterial McTominGOAT (@ScotMcTominGOAT) [June 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/ScotMcTominGOAT/status/1276180434766958592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Better than Maguire
>
> — Saud🥇 (@xxnasutd\_) [June 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/xxnasutd_/status/1276180919708082176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Throw in Phil Jones and call it even.
>
> — ᴊᴜʟɪᴏ ➐ (@DaX05) [June 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/DaX05/status/1276179681755176960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> swap him for zaniolo. good deal.
>
> — kevin mcnally (@kevinmc42926955) [June 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/kevinmc42926955/status/1276188856904060928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He’s turning 31, time to sell him
>
> — NRD WRENCH (@hotHawk90) [June 26, 2020](https://twitter.com/hotHawk90/status/1276342336088207361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> let Roma take ALL the Utd rejects
>
> — E. (@EzekielElijahJ1) [June 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/EzekielElijahJ1/status/1276179655826038787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***United fans, do you think*** ***the board should sell Chris Smalling permanently in the summer? Let us know down below!***