Roma defender Chris Smalling is returning to Old Trafford determined to damage former club Manchester United’s Europa League dreams.
The 31-year-old clocked up 323 appearances for United after signing from Fulham in 2010, winning two Premier League titles and six cups during his decade-long stint with the Red Devils.
Smalling spent the last year of that time on loan at Roma before making the move permanent in October, with the defender set to feature at his old stomping ground in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg.
“But coming into this game I’m feeling fit, I’m feeling ready to contribute.
“The fans outside Trigoria, I think there are very few clubs in the world that are able to have a fanbase that can do things like that.
“We know the importance of tomorrow and bringing back a positive result to Rome so that we give our fans something to be proud of and we can look forward to the second leg because it’s 180 minutes.”
