Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says he is 'gutted' he is unable to participate in Roma's Europa League knockout campaign.
Smalling's loan with the Italian club was only extended until the end of the Serie A season - which finished on Sunday - and Roma had to arrange a new month-long loan or sign Smalling permanently to keep him for the conclusion of the Europa League.
Roma confirmed on Monday night Smalling was not in their Europa League squad and the 30-year-old is now officially back with United, who cannot register Smalling for their Europa League ties.
Smalling wrote on Twitter: "I’m gutted that I can’t finish what we started this season. To experience the love shown to me in such a short time was extra special and it will not be forgotten.
"I want to thank and wish all the players and staff the best of luck against Sevilla. DAJE ROMA!"
Roma face Sevilla in their round-of-16 knockout tie in Duisberg, Germany, on Thursday and United are due to play Copenhagen or Istanbul Basaksehir in the quarter-finals in Cologne after the visit of LASK Linz on Wednesday. United could come up against Roma in the semi-finals.
Smalling wants to join Roma permanently after an impressive campaign in the Italian capital and has two years left on his United contract. The England international made 29 starts in Serie A after Roma paid United a £2.7million loan fee.
United only have three fit senior centre halves available ahead of the Europa League's resumption, with Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe injured and the ostracised Marcos Rojo still in Argentina.
The Under-18 captain Teden Mengi has been training with the first-team for the last two months.
