Chris Smalling admitted AS Roma “ruined” their hard work after a second-half collapse against Manchester United. For Smalling, it was a particularly difficult night. He played Edinson Cavani onside allowing the 34-year-old to make it 3-2 before fouling the Uruguayan for a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted. After 10 years with United, it was a first return to Old Trafford for the Englishman, who was visibly emotional as he gave his post-match thoughts.
Chris Smalling said: “Massively (tough to take). We couldn’t capitalise on our first-half, I thought we created a few chances and going into the break with a lead. It’s just pure disappointment in the second half, the goals we conceded were sloppy and it’s just really ruined the hard work we did in the first half. This season, we’ve had a lot of injuries and it’s not an excuse for conceding so many goals, but it’s not ideal preparation. We did still go in (leading) at the break despite those early changes.”
