Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained allowing Chris Smalling to leave for Roma.

The 29-year-old will join the Serie A club on a season-long loan. United will receive a fee of £2.7m.

"It's just come up the last couple of days, this opportunity for Chris and we've sat down yesterday and discussed it," said Solskjaer ahead of Saturday's trip to Southampton.

"At the moment we have six fit centre-backs and I couldn't promise Chris regular football and he's on the plane over now. I think he'll enjoy the experience over there.

"It's a good club, a big league. There aren't many English players who have had the chance to play in Italy and I'm sure he will come back stronger and better for it."